(flash story)

John sat at the kitchen table and looked at the neatly stacked pile of rejection letters. Each one was a polite reminder that he was still “unemployed”. His wife, Lisa, always tried to cheer him up by telling him that he was just “exploring new opportunities.”

“Another day of networking,” John muttered as he adjusted his tie in the hallway mirror. Networking is a soft way of saying he’ll be knocking on doors and making cold calls until his voice is hoarse. He grabbed his bag – almost empty except for a dwindling supply of CVs — and stepped out into the crisp morning air.

John was on his way to a networking event. The room was buzzing with conversation, people were handing out business cards and exchanging pleasantries. John put on a smile as he approached a small group sitting around a table with snacks.

“Hi, I’m John. I’m in a period of professional growth right now,” he said, shaking hands with a man in a sharp suit.

“Oh, so you’re taking a career break?” The man replied, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes, you could say that. I’m looking for something that fits my skills and passions,” John replied, using phrases he had practised to mask the frustration and anxiety that was bubbling under the surface.

The meeting ended without any promising leads. As John was walking home, his phone rang. It was a message from Lisa: “Don’t lose heart. Something good will come your way. Remember that you are in between successes.”

John smiled in spite of himself. Lisa’s unwavering support was a ray of light in this cloud of uncertainty. He took a deep breath and opened the door to their apartment, ready to face another day of “exploring possibilities”.