"I See You, Do You See Me?” by Desiree Kendrick — Our December 2018 Gold Medal Winner
We are so pleased to announce the winner of our tenth write prompt challenge! Congratulations to Desiree Kendrick for writing a story our judges connected to!
What the judges had to say:
“Thought-provoking.”
“Engaging.”
“Loved the perspective.”
Meet DESIREE
An emerging writer, Desiree draws on a cache of life experiences. A graduate of The University of Alberta she fused her Bachelor of Arts degree with a Project Management certificate. By day she’s an Event Planner. Generally found crafting business communications, newsletters and promotional materials, she embraces her alter-ego after dark. She is currently working on a novel. She was a runner-up in the 2018 “Heritage Writing Competition,” where her article, “The Spirit of Apulia” will be posted (https://seniortravelexpert.com/.) Though she has never published her travel journals, mayhem and mischief have been captured in old-fashioned ink.
I See You, Do You See Me?
an excerpt of Desiree Kenrick’s winning story
“Yes!” One giant leap from the subway platform lands me on the last train car. I swing the backpack off my shoulder, depositing worldly possessions at my feet. Whoosh! The train doors close. Wind whistles. I exhale. Grasping the metal pole, my twenty-year-old lanky body jerks with every rumble. Knees bounce. Ear buds snug, skinny jeans tight, bomber jacket loose. Staring at my crimson sneakers I see two months of waiter tips and macaroni and cheese dinners.
I spot you across the aisle. Your moving lips are out of sync with my playlist. I observe your daily complaint, flowing like molten lava, hot angry words cascading. The Barista mangled your name again. “Don’t they teach kids in school how to spell anymore?” A lip reader I am not, yet I get the message. The train chugs to a stop.
“No!” you exclaim, mouth pouting. Hot liquid tasted by your cashmere coat. Your disappointment soaked up by your companion. A condescending stare appraises my book bag. Our eyes lock. I hear your intake of breath - horrified by the colony of germs socializing on the bottom of my student backpack. You’re wondering why for the love of fashion do I spend good money on threadbare jeans; expose my bare knees, show my flattened pockets. You sip your jolt of caffeine, dab at the coffee stain, and yet you question my shopping habits. You’re drinking your savings away. You must have shares in coffee beans – given your daily investment...
To read the rest of the story, please purchase the print or digital issue it is published in.
56 pages, cover art by Irit Epstein
Featuring the work of Erin Alladin, Rob Croxford, Kamille Cyr, Jacalyn den Haan, Irit Epstein, Michael Foy, Rachel Freeman, Roq Gareau, Meaghan Hackinen, Desiree Kendrick, Gail M. Murray, Isobel Orfi, Hina Rani, Nicole Schroeder, Sheri Singleton, Jennifer Turney, and Corals Zheng.
