Great news! I recently received word that my short story, “Next Time,” will be published in this year’s TOK Anthology. The TOK series books are traditionally released in April, and I can’t wait to see the finished product.
I will be reading the same story at the Toronto Reference Library this April 20th for Keep Toronto Reading 2012 as part of the Friday Nights with Diaspora Dialogues series. It seems like only yesterday when I was nearly moved to tears by the MAD Poet’s spoken word at Friday Nights with Diaspora Dialogues in 2009, and now I will be one among the presenters.
It’s a mind-blowing opportunity that I’m still too giddy to wrap my head around. The sheer head rush that resulted from hearing both these things was enough to last me for a long time. I’m still buzzing from excitement!
For an excerpt of the short story, please feel free to read beyond the cut.
“Next Time” an excerpt
“Here I am, an old man, in this small rundown town, visiting that small rundown graveyard every day. In no time at all I’ll be sleeping there every night.” His voice is strong and lucid, though the change in topic is wandering. “Here I am, an old man, in this small rundown house-“
“The place looks good, Tito,” Dad says.
“-built by my older brother. Here I am, an old man, though no one wanted this house, and I still don’t want it. It would be nice if Kuya Lamig visited sometime.” The young lady beside him coughs. “But I suppose he can’t, right?” Tito Sisi looks guiltily at the lady, as though just realizing the inappropriate subject.