The Coup

Raina Ng’s delightful photo and an article on NPR this morning inspired today’s 102 word story. Somehow they seemed to mesh. Aila’s kitchen is quiet. She snugs into her silk dress and matching satin pumps, lights the paper lanterns and opens the door to her guests. How she loves the sound of laughter, the clink of crystal, the glorious tales her friends tell. Children race through the house of twenty rooms, their shrieks cause no disruption. Midnight comes. Goes. Where is my Raul? Aila wonders. The door bursts open, “The president has been shot! Come, Aila! They are searching for you!” Ten days later Aila lives in a migrant camp. What remains of her life? Six kids and an orange party dress.

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