(miniflash story)

Her thumb hovered over the contact.

The name was still there — unchanged through years and updates. She hadn’t dialed it since the night everything fell quiet.

Some days, she convinced herself it was better that way. Other days, like this one, the silence felt too loud.

The room was dim, her tea cold. A storm tapped lightly at the window, as if urging her to do something.

She pressed the button.

Then stopped at the final digit.

What could she even say? That she missed him? That she didn’t know if missing was still allowed?

She stared for a long moment.

Then locked the screen.

And this time, didn’t cry.