I Just Read About That…

SOUNDTRACK:

[READ: December 12, 2023] “Overtime”

This year my wife ordered me The Short Story Advent Calendar.  This is my sixth time reading the Calendar–it’s a holiday tradition!  Here’s what H&O says about the calendar this year.

The 2023 Short Story Advent Calendar is a deluxe box set of individual short stories from some of the best writers in North America and beyond.  Now in its ninth year, the SSAC is back to once again bring readers a deluxe, peppermint-fresh collection of 25 short stories from some of the best writers in North America and beyond.

The author of this story was Hilma Wolitzer.  Each day has an online component with the author with a brief interview.

It’s December 12. Hilma Wolitzer, author of Today a Woman Went Mad in the Supermarket, suffers neither fool nor broken hanger.

Here’s a fun bit from the Q&A

When did you write it, and how did the writing process compare to your other work?

HW: I wrote it 50 years ago! My only other work way back then was housework, and as with writing I was always trying to make order out of chaos. Revising a story is something like cleaning out a closet: excessive words and broken hangers all have to go.

This was one of those delightfully weird stories that has a weird premise and follows it through to a very satisfying ending.

It opens

Howard’s first wife wouldn’t let him go….  I wondered why he was attracted to her in the first place.  It could only have been her pathos.  Reenie is little and thin.

Howard and Reenie had only been married for seven months, and yet Reenie constantly called them for help and advice.  And financial support. 

Howard and Reenie also didn’t have any children, but whenever she would call, the narrator’s son (with Howard) would excitedly shout “Weeny!” And then he would tell the narrator “Weeny needs ten.”

The narrator suggested that they just adopt Reenie because it would be cheaper in the long run.  He may have even considered it.

Reenie was a hypochondriac (no surprise) and she turned Howard into one as well.  After a few months the narrator convinced him he was fine.  Then the two of them would have psychoanalytical sessions with each other–calmly talking to each other about the days events.

Then Reenie called and said she need to stay with them–there was a man she met at unemployment who was looking to murder her!

They agreed, but the narrator was adamant–Howard had to find her a new husband just to get rid of her.  And then one day the doorbell rang.  It was the man who was “trying to murder” Reenie.  But the more they talked, it turned out he was obsessed with her and had fallen for her.

The ending is unexpected and delightful.