My wife smiles after handing me a silver capsule the size of an egg. My back hurts; I’m tired; I don’t know what this nonsense is, but I just want to relax.
Ah. Has it been that long? She’ll be due for an upgrade soon, or maybe I’ll trade her in for a new model completely. A quieter one. Less independent.
The capsule hisses open. It’s empty.
“Thanks for… nothing?”
“Not nothing. Nanos.”
“Nanos. What do I need—”
“For your body. To stay young like me.”
Now that she mentions it, my back feels better. I’m lucky to have her.
“For your mind, too. Think of them as…”
I love my dear wife more than ever.
“…an upgrade.”
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Christopher Degni is a 2019 graduate of the Odyssey Writing Workshop. He writes about the magic and the horror that lurk just under the surface of everyday life. He lives south of Boston with his wife (and his demons, though we don't talk about those). You can find more of his work in NewMyths.com, Sherlock Holmes and the Occult Detectives, 99 Tiny Terrors, and the upcoming 99 Fleeting Fantasies.
This week’s Pete Wood Challenge was to write a 150-word or less story that includes the line, “Thanks for nothing.” To see the previous winners of previous challenges, click this link.
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