Short Story: Alfred

and how he saved my work, purpose, and sanity.

Photo by Angelo SARTORI on Unsplash

Every country I set foot in told me that fear is my right. That as a lone young woman, fear is the logical response to most things. So when a frail old man stumbled out of the taxi and hit the ground I did not jump to help. I crouched in fear.

The stillness of the German village Heimsheim jumps at outsiders. Especially if you…