18 Comments
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David Perlmutter's avatar

I need a therapist like that one.

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Sandolore Sykes's avatar

We should get their number.

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William Pauley III's avatar

I'm going to tell you I enjoyed this story very much, even though the entire time I was reading I felt as if you were begging me not to comment. 😅

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Caleb Caudell's avatar

Ha, yes I did want to create that tension in the reader but despite the possible discouraging effect, I do appreciate the comment

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Nick Winney's avatar

This...such a profound take on the prompt. so self aware and self referential but... i bet all of us that wrote for this edition are drinking this whole cup full down and feeling satisfied but also slightly sick.

masterfully understated and intelligent. philosphy and wry humour. next level. 👏👏👏

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Sandolore Sykes's avatar

Absolutely. Caleb has a kind of mastery that makes me feel credit card sized and a bit flat. He is playing both sides of the chess board.

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Caleb Caudell's avatar

Too sweet, Sandolore. Thanks for putting up with me

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Caleb Caudell's avatar

Thank you Nick, I'm glad the humor landed. I wondered if it might be taken more meanly than intended

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William Pauley III's avatar

Of course, I was just trying to be funny. I was floored by this take on the theme. This was the most unique of the bunch. Loved it!

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Ashley T.K.'s avatar

I loved this so much! It's absolutely one of the best pieces I've read here. Very thoughtful, and at times felt like the dialogue was two parts of one self. At others it felt like it was reading society

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Caleb Caudell's avatar

Thanks, Ashley

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Nick Buchheit's avatar

I'm quite impressed with the analogy of creativity to pointless energy that needs to exit us thanks to the sun. Also like the plumbing analogies. Well done!

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Caleb Caudell's avatar

Thanks, Nick

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A. R. Eldridge's avatar

Waiting for the conclusion where the protagonist rips off the mask of the therapist and it’s Elon Musk.

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Troy Church's avatar

This is a great if uncomfortable read for us writers. I love the tension of the piece. I could do with that therapist’s number too.

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Caleb Caudell's avatar

Thanks, Troy

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Zivah Avraham's avatar

So elegantly written. And I feel like I shouldn’t be responding to this overflowing septic tank because, well, your therapist won’t want you to fixate on any responses. You should be moving on to excrete all over again, right?

What an incisive interpretation!

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Jennifer James's avatar

Readers will find a great deal with which to identify in this piece. I did. It's written very naturally and vulnerably.

While I do think the therapist ultimately comes to a very "bleak" and probably unlivable conclusion, it's a viewpoint that needs to be considered.

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