Joey McNeary died and I feel nothing. Should I praise his star athleticism, beaning heads in little league? His gut punches during fire drills? Joey’s obit’s flooded with gushing niceties, his social media bursting with emoji hearts. Survival’s our payback. Yanks us by the throat as we stare back, smile.

Phyllis Rittner has a passion for flash. Her work can be found in Burnt Breakfast, Roi Faineant Press, Versification, Friday Flash Fiction, Fairfield Scribes, Six Sentences and others. She can be reached on Facebook at facebook.com/phyllis.rittner.