In Questions, a quiet evening between a professor and his long-time girlfriend turns unexpectedly emotional. What begins as a routine end to Shawn’s workday quickly reveals deeper questions. When Elizabeth arrives ready to confront the state of their relationship, a simple clay cookie jar becomes the unlikely place where long-awaited questions are found. This heartfelt contemporary drama blends tenderness, conflict, and a moment that changes everything.
As their conversation unfolds in the quiet stillness of an empty lecture hall, Shawn must finally confront the reality Elizabeth has carried alone for years. The emotional weight of the moment builds toward a reveal hidden in plain sight. It’s a gesture that speaks louder than all his delays. Questions is a gentle, human story about priorities, timing, and the courage it takes to move forward.
This story is paired with my blues piece “Moments of Rest.” With its warm tones, steady pacing, and reflective mood, the music mirrors the emotional undercurrent of Shawn and Elizabeth’s conversation. It supports the slow rise of tension and the tender payoff of the final question, creating a soft, heartfelt atmosphere throughout the reading.
Questions was originally written for a competition and submitted exactly as it appears here. While I don’t fully remember the details of the prompt that served as the story’s starting point, the twist was something that flew from my fingers without a second thought. It was a moment where the simplest of objects becomes the catalyst for a life-altering decision.
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Shawn glanced from the assignments in front of him to his watch. He laid his pen down and folded his hands on the pile of papers, “Zachary, you’re the last one here, and your time has expired. Please turn in your exam and start your weekend.”
“Can I take another minute?”
Shawn shook his head and thumped his desk, “You are out of time. I’ve already given you an extra thirty minutes, now give me your test, or I’ll be forced to reward your hard work with a zero.”
Zachary slipped his pen behind his ear with a groan and strolled up to Shawn’s desk. He dropped his exam next to the assignments his professor was correcting, “Thank you for giving me what you could. Do you have anything planned for the weekend, aside from grading those?”
Shawn grinned and lifted Zachary’s test and slipped it into a drawer. He locked it and propped his chin on a hand, “Normally I would grade these tests tonight. However, this time that’s a job for my teacher’s assistant, because I’ve got important plans for the weekend.”
“Did you finally find a new place?” Zachary looked around the lecture hall as he shoved his hands into his pockets, “Cause living in a university lecture hall is a little strange.”
Shawn’s fingers drummed on his desk while his other hand stabbed toward the door, “Run along, Zachary, and enjoy your weekend.”
“Bye, Professor,” Zachary retorted as he rushed to the exit. He walked out of the auditorium, bumping into a woman. The young man looked away and tipped his head, “I’m sorry, are you looking for Professor Tillman…
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Have a wonderful day my friends!