On "Kept" by Kirsten Clodfelter (530 words) ***

The situation is ordinary enough--unfortunately. An older married man--a professor--and a younger woman. The young woman likes the older man, is becoming, one might say, addicted to him. What is nice about this short piece is the quiet way it puts for the woman's longing, particularly in the last paragraph. She wants to see him more, this is obvious, but she knows not to ask too much. Her real desire, however, is shown in what she does in those final lines. It's mutedly sad. Read the story here.