Ficlets

Putting Things Off in Mirror Land [Elsha's Mirror Challenge]

Zoned out, I stare at myself in the bathroom mirror. I don’t like looking at me. Honestly, I don’t even like me period. The first rays of light from another miserable day creep through the frosted window and mix with the flourescents.

“I’m sorry,” I say with a sigh.

“What was that dear?” she calls from the bedroom.

“Nothing, just thinking out loud…” I trail off into mumbling intentionally. She’s a lovely woman, so kind and caring. It’s tragic really, that she wound up with me I mean. There’s certainly nothing tragic about her intrinsically.

It occurs to me I should put a shirt on, though I’m not sure how that will change anything. I roll the box over and over in my fingers, though I don’t look at it directly, just in the mirror. That way it’s not really here. It’s not really today. It’s there, over in mirror land, with that guy who looks kind of like me but never quite like how I imagine myself.

Deep breath. One last flex for the mirror. It’s now or never, once I put a shirt on.

Comments

Average Reader Rating:

Putting Things Off in Mirror Land [Elsha's Mirror Challenge]
BARomero
Posted 3 months ago

It’s really sad that too many of us have that kind of self-image, but great empathy in the writing here. What’s the box?
Putting Things Off in Mirror Land [Elsha's Mirror Challenge]
flute faerie
Posted 3 months ago

I was wondering the same thing about the box, it sorta confused me. But ya, it is sad that he thinks of himself that way.
Putting Things Off in Mirror Land [Elsha's Mirror Challenge]
Ridcully Calvert
Posted 3 months ago

I like this ficlet, the writing is ismple yet powerful. Elisha did say that she wanted sequels, and I can already think of one or two things that the box could be for…hmmm, I might just come back to this one
Putting Things Off in Mirror Land [Elsha's Mirror Challenge]
Mistress Elsha Hawk
Posted 3 months ago

That must be some special box!

I love how the poor guy feels, looking at himself. I’ve often wondered about the mirror world….now there’s a good idea for another entry…..

LoA
Putting Things Off in Mirror Land [Elsha's Mirror Challenge]
SKermitgorf
Posted 3 months ago

Thats a poor self image.. lucky guy still to have a wife and love. powerful writing. one of your best. cynical. but real.
LoA
Putting Things Off in Mirror Land [Elsha's Mirror Challenge]
User 8538
Posted 3 months ago

wow…..the box…
Putting Things Off in Mirror Land [Elsha's Mirror Challenge]
Valley Fey/Pinprick
Posted 2 months ago

This is awesome. It’s so real, especially the last line (I think). I just kind of assumed what the box was…

LoA
Putting Things Off in Mirror Land [Elsha's Mirror Challenge]
.:band baby:.
Posted 2 months ago

very good. Love the describtions and such. =)
LoA
Putting Things Off in Mirror Land [Elsha's Mirror Challenge]
someday_93
Posted 2 months ago

oooh…what’s the box?
Putting Things Off in Mirror Land [Elsha's Mirror Challenge]
Stovohobo
Posted 2 months ago

Nice little peek into what the guy thinks, and probably what some of us think but just don’t say. But then, that’s part of your job, I assume.