"The Shoebox," by Jonathan Starke

In most long-term intimate relationships there inevitably comes the moment of disconnect. The husband or wife sees with eyes wide open while the other with eyes cast downward withholds secrets and lacks disclosure not always out of malice but some unclear mystery, some unexplained disconnect. What if the one with clarity was actually a mannequin? “As long as I keep getting it sprayed, my face will never loose its smooth features… .” And what about the man who holds onto the shoebox of love tokens, “This just can’t possibly work anymore… .” The story poses an interesting dilemma: who has the broken heart, mannequin or man? Read it here in Blood Orange Review.