Randall was always raving about his colleague, Natalie. Natalie was so smart, Natalie was so funny, Natalie once saved a baby seal from a burning building, Natalie pissed liquid gold.

Unfortunately for Randall, his wife, Julie, understood the psychology of magic tricks. She knew that she was being misdirected.

At the company holiday party, Randall introduced Julie to Natalie. “This is my colleague, Natalie, the one I’ve told you so much about.”

The subtlest expression flashed across Natalie’s face. A less sharp woman than Julie might have either missed it or mistaken it for guilt.

It was confusion.

In bed that night, Randall mentioned how beautiful Natalie looked. “That color really suits her, wouldn’t you say?”

“Sure. I also met your colleague Susan. While you were in the bathroom. She seems nice. And very pretty.” Julie didn’t say it as an accusation. There was no edge to her voice.

But Randall knew. He knew that Julie knew. His knowledge and her knowledge and his knowledge of her knowledge were infinite mirrors; he knew that she knew that he knew that she knew, and so on, and so there was nothing to say.

Except the literal truth.

“Nothing’s ... happened.”

“Between you and Susan, you mean.”

“Yes.”

“I know. It’s all in your head, right?”

He swallowed. “That’s right.”

“But there’s a lot in your head.”

He closed his eyes. “I’m so sorry, Julie.”

“Randall. Look at me.” He obeyed her. She was smiling. “It’s OK. It really is. I know you. I get it. But Randall. Um. You can shut up about Natalie, now. You can uh. Let that cover go.”

“Julie I swear to God, I love you so much.”

“This is the correct response.”

Next week, Randall only praised Natalie to Julie once. Old habits were hard to break.

He didn’t mention Susan at all. Neither of them were ready for that.

Alaina Hammond

is a poet, playwright, fiction writer, and visual artist. Her poems, plays, short stories, philosophical essays, creative nonfiction, paintings, drawings, and photographs have been published both online and in print. Publications include Concision Poetry Journal, Flash Phantoms, Fowl Feathered Review, Havik, L’Esprit Literary Review, Lowlife Lit Press, New Limestone Review, New World Writing Quarterly, Paddler Press, Rock Salt Journal, Spinozablue, Synchronized Chaos, and WELL READ Magazine.

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⚡ I Hear You Like My Work in Burningword Literary Journal (July 2025)