Modern Love in miniature, featuring reader-submitted stories of no more than 100 words.
Mac’s Best Riding Pard
Mac’s spurs lightly jingled as he walked up behind me to view the golden western Colorado valley below. After four years of companionable friendship, I thought this quiet, handsome cowboy would never notice my unspoken love. I would always be the friend who cheered him at rodeos, introduced to his adoring girlfriends as “my riding pard,” (short for “partner”). But on that beautiful Friday the 13th, as we gazed on autumn’s glory together, horses resting nearby, he wrapped me in his arms and quietly said, “I love you.” Four years of friendship became five decades of love. — Barbara Jean Stratman
Still Thirsty, Still Dreaming
Nisha and I spent a college summer abroad in India together, two 19-year-olds thirsty for knowledge. In rickshaws, buses and trains we explored our hopes, dreams (and fantasies) against the seductive backdrop of the land of our ancestors. Twenty-four years, two spouses and five children later, unknown to each other we both decided to pursue masters degrees at the exact same time. We graduated within one week of one another and decided to celebrate in London and Paris, two 40-something-women, still thirsty for knowledge, still on buses and trains, still with hopes and dreams (and some fantasies). Still together. — Milli Shah Bhashyam
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