HLS No. 49: Cold Figments
A wintry fantasy by Jaslynn Middleton
Jaslynn Middleton’s “Cold Figments” takes place in the modern day, but in every other respect it feels as ancient and as timeless as a folktale.
Minokichi had been taking care of his widowed mother Kaori since he was a young boy. He’d started with cleaning the apartment and making sure that she came home to a hot meal. He chatted with her, asking how her day went, and tidied up before heading off to bed to let his mother relax in peaceful silence. After a few years, he was able to secure side jobs and contribute to the household income. His various skills brought him success but not happiness.
