Watermelon

Weighing 132 words, Kathy Fish’s “Watermelon” is the shortest story in our series. I’d quote Shakespeare—but though it be but little it is fierce—if I subscribed to the sentiment that smaller things are lacking. The final image is simple, enigmatic, and perfect. I’ve thought of it regularly in the years since I first read it. On why the story carries a particularly profound effect: I too have brothers. —Marie-Helene Bertino

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It was like the time we broke icicles dripping from the low eaves and brandished them like swords, slashing and sparkling, and you cut my cheek and dropped your weapon. Or the time we got up early and hiked until we came to a cliff and looked down into the valley covered in dew and you made to push me over the edge, but grabbed me around my waist before I fell. The night you ran away, you stood under the barn light, tapping your fist on your palm while I called you names, telling you I never liked you anyway, ugliestworstmosthorrible brother ever. You left, hitchhiked all the way to Houston and one night months later, we looked up and saw you at the table, eating watermelon in the dark.

This story was first published in Quick Fiction, and is part of a series showcasing stories and essays from the archives of great magazines. Read an introduction to the series by Marie-Helene Bertino here.

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