Hey Chy,

I still quite can't get "New Music Friday" out of my head. I keep feeling like I almost got it, but that there is more to it. It's like a catchy tune you both wants to listen to constantly but also wants out of your head. I decided the best way around that was to read another story which might takes it's place.

And then, after writing the above, I read the first line of the lyrics for Juice 2 Me: "You're a voice I needed out of my head".
That's a little spooky.

Anyways, on to the review itself.

"The shell was peculiarly silent. I'd expected some sort of protest or well worded plea..." - As always, you opening is excellent, very intriguing. Already, I'm curious as to what's up with this shell, and the second paragraph only adds to my interest.

And again, this is definitely not what I expected from the lyrics, which to me was all about a broken relationship, potentially interesting but also very straight forward. Your take on it, though, is definitely more interesting.

"I couldn't hear the shell, not really, but I knew where it was. It was calling me, same as it had done the night I picked it up." - There's definitely something eerie and odd about this thing, but I love how matter-of-fact the MC is about it all. I'm not sure why, but it makes it feel more real than if they had been all hysterical about it.

"Behind me, the house perched atop its pier foundation like a stork ready to deliver me a new life" - I love this description.

"There was still an indention on the finger where my ring had sat for fourteen years." - Ah, yes, there's the broken relationship. That doesn't take anything away from the story. If anything, it makes the MC's reaction to the shell, their even, almost non-reaction make even more sense. It's clear that the marriage is still affecting them emotionally even after all these years.

"I liked doing things—in theory, at least." - I can relate all too well! I love the way you phrase this, and I love how real it makes the MC feel.

"“Fuck him. You can do better,” it said." - I did not expect this from the shell.

"I feel this is a very one-sided conversation." -

"“If I talk to you, I'm for sure crazy.”
“Well now you've done it.”"
- Again, I really like the MC's reaction to this whole thing, and the shell's way of phrasing things only makes it better.

"Being at a loss for how to explain what it was like made me realize I was talking too much. That was a tell and I knew it, so I shut up. Too abruptly." - I know I've said this a lot of reviews, but I'm still amazed at how much characterization you can get in your short stories. The MC in this one feels exceptionally real, and I find her very easy to relate to.


Overall
This was one of my favorite stories in the collection. It was very much the kind of story I prefer. I especially loved the MC, her mellow, distant reaction to everything, which somehow worked to heighten the emotions of the story.

As I neared the end, I felt less and less certain you would be able to land this in a satisfying way, but I think you did. The way I read it, the ending was cyclical, bringing the MC back into a pattern of coping that doesn't work but she can't break free from either.

I was going to comment that the only thing that I would've changed if it was my story, was the MC's substance abuse. If for no other reason than it showing up very late in the story and didn't really seem relevant. But now that I'm typing my thoughts, I look back at the cyclical ending, the MC falling back into broken patterns, and it seems like that is fits perfectly with drug abuse.

So, yeah, I really, really liked this story, and, honestly, I think it works perfectly without changing a thing.

My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .