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The Thing About Bubbles, by Don Tassone

2/10/2020

 
Emily lived in a bubble. Her friends were all conservative. They thought alike, even dressed alike. They all favored red.

Jacob lived in a bubble too. His friends were liberal. They dressed alike too, although they favored blue.

One day, Emily and Jacob spotted each other in a grocery store. They were instinctively drawn to one another. So much so that both wondered if this was “the one.”

But then she noticed he was wearing blue, and he noticed she was wearing red. They turned and walked away.

The thing about bubbles is that if they don’t merge, they burst.

Paritosh Chandra Dugar
2/10/2020 08:33:28 am

The metaphor of 'bubble' is superb. Are we humans or robotic slaves to one ideology or the other?

peppermint
2/10/2020 12:30:43 pm

Does everything have to be black or white in this divisive world? or in the bubble? Whatever happened to grey? or in this case, purple?

Bobby Warner
2/10/2020 01:33:03 pm

A great comment on the human condition, Don. I kind of think this sort of thing happens in politics all the time!

Susan Reid
2/10/2020 02:44:30 pm

This reminds me of the second round of stimulus talks between the administration, the House and the Senate that burst.

Kathy K
2/10/2020 04:14:13 pm

The new coronavirus does not recognize bubbles. Maybe that will break down the barriers. No one is immune.

Jennifer Lai
2/10/2020 05:36:24 pm

Well done Don! The symbolism of a bubble in your story has several interpretations if you look beneath the surface.

Ed N. White
3/10/2020 01:39:19 am

Nice story with an important and timely message.

Sue Clayton
3/10/2020 04:13:14 am

They could have formed a perfect purple bubble that would never have burst if each of them had been "the one". Intriguing story, Don.

Swapan k Banerjee
3/10/2020 05:03:12 am

"Trapped inside a metaphor, I've often felt the need to redescribe it, to change the terms. This isn't so much a balloon, I've wanted to say, as a bubble, within which I'm simultaneously exposed and sealed off." - Salman Rushdie

Mary Wallace
3/10/2020 05:30:15 am

Perfect. Though remembering how few bubbles merge has burst my idealism bubble.

Don Tassone link
3/10/2020 12:46:45 pm

Thank you all for your thoughtful comments.

Teddy Kimathi
4/10/2020 01:06:48 pm

The last line vividly played in my mind. True love survives after both lovers' bubbles bust. Really enjoyed your work, Don.


Comments are closed.

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