On this episode, Zack’s short story centers around a son dealing with his late father, and this launches a discussion on one one of mankind’s longest held traditions: funerals. Do we need them? Is it an archaic method of self-punishment, or a necessary celebration of the life of a loved one?
Welcome to Smirk. A podcast that covers society and culture through a storytelling lens. Part creative writing, part discussion, and always interesting. Each week our hosts brings a story to the show, a story they wrote themselves, which is immediately followed by discussion on the author’s moral or theme. These stories can cover any topic the host wants to discuss, it can be lighthearted or more serious. No one but the author knows if these tales are truth or fiction, and part of the fun is guessing while you’re listening before the reality is made clear. We want to hear from you! If you want to share YOUR story, join the conversation by writing in to mystory@smirkpodcast.com, and include your moral, or you can let us guess at it. This is the podcast that looks at truth, fiction, and reality. With a Smirk. Don’t forget to subscribe to Smirk and share the show with your friends!
Want to read Zack’s story “Obsidian Memories” in full? Think you can identify the moral or theme for this episode? Read it below, and then take a listen to the podcast.
Obsidian Memories
James never thought he’d be the one having to do this. Giant, ominous rectangles were laid out before him. As he stared at the lacquered wooden finish, he could see his own reflection staring back at him. James never even liked his father, so it seemed particularly unfair that he was the one who had to pick out the casket.
When he got the news last week, James couldn’t help but be shaken. Despite their growing distance over the years, a father is still a father. And how sudden it was seemed unfair. As if fate itself was laughing that he and his father would never even have the chance to mend their broken relationship.
Since his siblings were borderline useless, it fell to James to be there for his mother. Part of that was getting the body in place, part of it was readying everything else. Visitations, family plans, this casket. It all felt so surreal.
Perusing the caskets forced James to think of the good memories. Like when his father taught him how to build a coffee table. It still sits in his parent’s home to this day. Something he and his father did together lasted decades and withstood the test of time. A constant memory for the both of them. Despite the recent rough times, they’d always have those good time.
He could recall the coffee table in his mind. The dark obsidian color, finished with a high gloss. You could almost make out a reflection in it. And as he saw the black, glossy casket before him, he knew this was the one. His father would be proud of the choice.