The Fourth Voice

by Mary Ellen DiMaggio

“Order the rice pudding,” said the nostalgic voice. "No," replied the rational voice, "you don’t even like rice pudding—you just like the idea of it." “But maybe this one will be different,” whimpered the hopeful voice. A fourth voice, one no one recognized, whispered, Order it, and everything changes. The waiter approached; she nodded slowly. Three bites in, she remembered the texture she always hated, and her trouble losing weight, and the fourth voice laughed, ancient, cold, very far from the table.

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Mary Ellen DiMaggio writes tiny tales with big feelings from her (mostly) sunlit kitchen in New Jersey.