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Sleeping in IKEA

July 17, 2021 12 Comments

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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.

By John Holmes

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Derek McMillan says

    July 17, 2021 at 10:19 am

    A very good (or appalling depending on your point of view) ending. I thought this story was very well-told

    Reply
  2. Kelly Louisa Balliu says

    July 17, 2021 at 1:43 pm

    Aww.. I’m glad the assistant wasn’t harsh. Another super story!

    Reply
  3. ren says

    July 17, 2021 at 2:01 pm

    beautiful!

    Reply
  4. Shoshauna says

    July 17, 2021 at 4:49 pm

    An exceptional story. I’ll never enter another IKEA without thinking of this.

    Reply
  5. Lisa C. says

    July 17, 2021 at 9:26 pm

    Excellent story!

    Reply
  6. Beebles says

    July 18, 2021 at 6:05 pm

    Agree very well told. Pathos not overdone.

    Reply
  7. Madison Randolph says

    July 19, 2021 at 5:10 pm

    At first I thought what a cute story but then the end! My goodness! What a powerful tale.

    Reply
  8. John Holmes says

    July 21, 2021 at 8:15 am

    Thanks for the comments – great for motivation.

    Reply
  9. Geja Hadderingh says

    July 21, 2021 at 8:17 am

    So powerful – in so few words.
    So well told.

    Reply
  10. Maca says

    July 21, 2021 at 10:29 am

    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.

    Reply
  11. Fliss Zakaszewska says

    July 24, 2021 at 2:14 pm

    A lovely story, well told, and with that twist that makes Flash Fiction special.

    Reply
  12. Michael says

    August 11, 2021 at 12:25 pm

    Nice twist, although….. sad.

    Reply

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