Short Story

The idioms of everyday American speech in a middle-class domestic situation are used in showing the events and relationships of the Berlin family. In contrast to the conversations of Becca and Stan, usually presented as straight dialogue, the discussions among the three sisters are conventionally presented, often with “she said” and other interpolations to give explicitly the emotional level of the sister’s disagreements. Madga, the Polish student who acts as Becca’s guide to the death camp site speaks fluent English but at times awkward English “Oh, they are much in appreciation” she says when given a pair of jeans. Contrast between the formal, traditional language of the fairy tale and childish, informal chatter is shown when the children comment or question as Gemma proceeds with her Briar Rose fairy tale story telling. Her contrast revisiting of just this one fairy tale shows the reader that while her conscious memory has buries the details of her past horrors, she cannot help returning to the fairy tale allegory. Contrast is also shown between the warm, happy imagery of life in the Berlin house and the bleak, harsh details of the holocaust.

"Hello?" she said a little too loudly and immediately cringed with embarrassment "Still working on the dresser? I told you, building is not woman's work." Krist teased and Abby couldn't help but roll her eyes, even though she remained slightly amused. "What do you need, jerk?" she asked her partner. "We've been called into work, kid. Tourist crowd is getting slightly out of hand and they need all hands on deck." he stated with too much excitement but Abby groaned. "Such short notice? What are they thinking?" she tried not to sound so annoyed but she was. "I don't know but stop building the wonky dresser and get out here. I'm driving today" Unbelievable, he was already downstairs, so much for warning. "Well, I have to put my uniform on and it could take a while so get comfortable" she tried to sound bossy but it didn't work too well. "I can come in and help?" he joked and once again, she rolled her eyes. "I'll be right down." she hung up and began to run across the living room towards the bedroom where her uniform laid on the bed. Even on her days off, she still worked. "ouch!" she shouted after stepping on some protruding wood. "Damn

The morning was average and one could already see the mysterious, milky light of the night mix with the interrupting brightness of the day. You brushed your teeth, slipped on your shoes, and had Nell fix your tie like any old Dawson Tax cubicle worker would do. “When do you think you’ll be home from the office, Mack?” “About 7:30, I’m working late.” “Aww. Okay, that’s not a problem! I’ll help Maddie with her project,” she said with a smile not wanting to let you know how much it meant to

We met (again) by accident, as I was unaware of her summer job as the ice-cream parlor girl, when I walked into the Sugar Shoppe, my shoulders hunched and aching from having slaved all morning over my typewriter. It was the closest thing to a bar near my summer chalet, and I had forbidden myself to drive farther than five miles to find a beer. She was wearing a candy striper’s uniform, the dress cut straight and box-like, lace socks sagging around her awkward boney ankles and her hair tied back with a tired-looking ribbon. The electronic buzzer that warned her of entering customers rung it’s hollow tone as I opened the door and Vitya’s face jumped with an adorable surprise.

Aside from a few regulars and the occasional man that flirted with her, nothing was out of the ordinary. Dishes clinked, voices rose, and the smell of food was always heavy in the air. She picked up an extra shift, more than happy to lend a helping hand. So by the time the sun had set and the dark of night had claimed the once bright sky, she was exhausted. Sweaty, her hair a mess, and her feet aching, she climbed into her old car and made the drive back home. It was always the same ritual when she came home. First the door was opened and her purse was hung by a hook next to it. She closed the door and locked it right then. No. Molly wasn’t afraid. It was simply more convient to lock it now as she had a habit of simply falling asleep. She wasn’t hungry tonight. Having worked the extra shift, she picked up dinner during her break at work. It saved on having to cook anything, and that was always a plus. Turkey on rye had been her dinner. It was an intentional choice. She peeled her shoes off as she sat on her bed before pulling her laptop next to her. The website had taken a few more hits. All of them were jokes, of course, but at least it brought a smile to her face to read the outlandish offers. She pulled herself into the bathroom, where she enjoyed a nice, long, hot shower. Wrapped in her terry cloth, white robe, Molly rested across her bed, next to her laptop, where she slipped into the

In fact, I was thinking what should I do after I meet her repeatability. I had to give her the perfect impression of me. I awaked ,and Nick was waiting for my answer. What was his question? Grass? I questioned blankly, "What grass?" He glanced at me awkwardly. I noticed he was mentioning the grass in the yard. He seemed to use our conversation to my inner tension, but that would never help. Since I was too nervous, my body temperature began to descend and look around his house like a terse cat in a strange place. Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock that sound let me in a total alert state, feeling the sound was moving even faster; my hands were in an incessant vibration. Before a second, I kept walking forward and backward; I was a volcano ready for an expulsion, stood up, " I can wait all day." I looked at my watch was already four o'clock, " Nobody's coming to tea. It's too late." Nick smiled, "Don't be silly; it's just two minutes to four." Your stupid watch! You made me freaked out! I would fix you later! "Is this absolutely where you live, my dearest one?" Oh my god! She was arrived! Jay Gatsby don't be a

Uncle Henrick was brave but sloppy. Mrs. Rosen was scared of the ocean. Mr. Hirsh was the owner of the button shop. Mr. Rosen was a teacher. The Giraffe was a German soldier with a long neck. Kristi didn’t like green shoes. Cigarettes were a code name for escaping Jews. The Rabbi alerted the Rosen’s of their danger. Great Aunt Bertie was not real. King Christian X was the king of Denmark. Peter and Lisa were engaged in the resistance. Henrick helped the Jews escape. The Resistance was Danish freedom fighters that sunk their own ships so the Nazis couldn’t take over. Sweden was not occupied. The handkerchief had dried rabbits blood and cocaine on it. A Kroner is Danish money. Mama fell and broke her ankle then lied to Annemarie to protect

Ah! Hello young boy, how are you? You may stay here it is calm and very comfortable. Come on in it as cold as ice out there. You sleep here its warm up here, and if you can, please come downstairs and sign the guest book. Good bye for now, Mr.Beaver! Oh its Weaver? I'm terribly sorry, Mr.Weaver.

Packing his briefcase with some of the folders of paper he heard the familiar whirring. The paper smoothly came out and a smile graced his face. “Hey Santiago go home already, I promised your brother I go easy” Turning to see a woman with a smile and a bottle of soda. “Ok thanks Lacey” He said and closed the suitcase. “Don’t worry Gabe it’ll get better, tell everyone I said Hi” She whispered as he grabbed his jacket off the

In the morning, the mini-cooper’s not parked in Graydon’s driveway. I’m pleased, and wish she never shows up again. Neither is his Porsche. It’s either in the garage or he’s not home. Oh, well. I’ll check on his whereabouts later. Today the doctor’s office squeezed my mom in on short notice. That is, after I mentioned her car accident and abuse of doctor prescribed sleeping pills.

Marcus recoiled slightly from her questions “It’s nothing. A stray dog got a little nippy with me for being on his territory that’s all.” Penelope held out her hands” “Let me see them?” He shoved his hands into his hoodie pocket “I’m fine. Caleb-tell-her-I’m-fine.” Caleb didn’t bother turning his head “Penelope, he’s fine.” Penelope looked at him “Will you tell him to let me look at his hands?” He stacked up a pile of dishes “Marcus, will you let her look at your hands?” Marcus rolled his eyes and sat back a little “No, tell her-” Caleb stacked the plates on the shelves “Nooo.” Marcus looked to Penelope “See you made Switzerland retreat into itself! Really, it’s no bid deal, a couple months off work and I will be good as new. I already talked to mom and dad about it this morning and they said that they needed some work done around the house, it’s a win-win. But, what about you, aren’t you supposed to be working some fancy new job?” An annoyed expression crossed her face “Don’t try to change the subject!” He leaned forwards enough to seem truly curious “I am changing the subject, but I do want to know more about this job.” Caleb gave a “Here, here, give us the spill. You have been working at the coffee shop for years, what made you change your mind?”

Dangit! I'm gonna be late!" He darted into the kitchen and swiped up his bag and his keys, then ran out the door, frantically fumbling with the keys to lock the door behind him. Once it was finally locked, he started running to his bus stop, hissing as the rain hit him and attempted to soak his hair. He dashed to the bus stop, seeing his bus about to leave. Feeling grateful, he smiled at the bus driver, Mrs. Kenna, and sat in his usual seat behind her as she started driving. "Good morning Justin, did you almost sleep in?" Justin blushed with frustration and embarrassment, shaking his head in view of her mirror and letting raindrops fall out of his hair. "No, just took awhile eating breakfast and picking my outfit." Mrs. Kenna smiles kindly, "It's okay, you know I always wait a bit extra if you haven't gotten here yet." Justin smiles, "Yeah, I know." "If it helps, you look nice as usual." Justin beamed at her, letting her compliment sink in and drown out the frustrated thought swimming in his head. "Thank you, Mrs. Kenna." She nods and smiles as their conversation ends, leaving her to drive and him to stare out the window in awe at the flowers they pass by.

Several minutes had passed when a quiet voice in front of him woke him up. Baekhyun looked up to see a tall man with a dorky smile and big ears standing in front of the counter. Baekhyun rubbed his eyes and cleared his throat as he stood up. "H-how can I help you?" Baekhyun stammered, embarrassed. The guy's huge smile grew as he passed Baekhyun the book he was holding. “I’m sorry for coming in so late but my friend kept freaking out about returning this book. He said it would be overdue tomorrow so I brought it so he’d calm down.” The guy’s voice was deep and gentle in a comforting kind of way. “It’s completely fine. I’m the one who should be apologizing. Falling asleep while working isn’t very professional.” Baekhyun remarked, scanning the book and placing it besides himself on the counter. "Have you worked here long?" Baekhyun nodded his head. "Kind of. I started working here last February." "I was just wondering because I

“ Ew, what is that?” I said, waking up to dog slobber all over my face. When I open my eyes I see Sugar standing on my belly barking at me. At the same time my alarm was going off. It was already 10:00 A.M. I was supposed to meet with my clients thirty minutes ago. I sprung out of my bed in a bustle, rushing to get ready. When I pick up my phone I see 10 missed calls from Jana and Ted my clients. They wanted to meet earlier this morning, to discuss how I'm going to decorate their new house. I throw on some shoes put Sugar on a leash and sprint out the door.

My bangles jingled as I shut the entry door to my mother in law’s house. I’d just dropped Tia off, and I was heading back to my car when my cell phone rang. “Girl, where are you meeting Mont?” Latria howled. “Why aren’t you working?” I asked, with a giggle. “It’s slow at the DMV today. I had to call because your text messages were about to give me a heart attack. Why was it taking you so long to respond?” Latria said. “I was cooking, giving Tia a bath, doing laundry, getting ready, and driving,” I replied. “Oh, you were multitasking,” Latria joked and then added. “So you broke the code. I knew it was going to be something easy, why didn’t I think of that?”