By John Holmes
I fell asleep in IKEA. I couldn’t help myself. The store was warm, cozy, and the chair like a feather bed. IKEA named the chair Stocksund. They should have named it for me. I’d closed my eyes and allowed the mellow elevator music to wrap me like a blanket.
I don’t know how long I had been there when the assistant woke me. He offered me a cup of chalky coffee in a plastic, reusable cup before leading me from the store. I should have asked for a spare packing box. The overnight rain had reduced my home to cardboard scraps.
A very good (or appalling depending on your point of view) ending. I thought this story was very well-told
Aww.. I’m glad the assistant wasn’t harsh. Another super story!
beautiful!
An exceptional story. I’ll never enter another IKEA without thinking of this.
Excellent story!
Agree very well told. Pathos not overdone.
At first I thought what a cute story but then the end! My goodness! What a powerful tale.
Thanks for the comments – great for motivation.
So powerful – in so few words.
So well told.
I was laughing at first thinking how I do get sleepy just by looking at comfortable couches or chairs, but the end left me a heavy heart. Very good and eye opening.
A lovely story, well told, and with that twist that makes Flash Fiction special.
Nice twist, although….. sad.