I can't recommend the story enough. Found it via feedzebra, and read it mostly because of the teaser: "As the U.S. bombs Iran, a man's obsessions range from the expected to the absurd in the long wait for a delivery."
Here's the link to read the full story - no paywall:
https://themarkaz.org/please-wait-a-short-story/
Like most of us, I've been so programmed to think of the New Yorker and Paris Review and Ploughsares as the primary sources of good short fiction, but this story might honestly be one of my favorite short stories I've ever read (and this is coming from someone who's been on a bit of a shorts bender recently). It's oddly touching and absurd and funny and heartbreaking.
It's also incredible to read something from a perspective that's so different than my own. I have no idea what it's like to live in Iran, or to live through bombings, but I found everything so relatable -- **and such a refreshing departure from how Western writers might imagine a man in Iran during attacks like these -- no calls to prayer, no mention of Allah, no cursing of America, no cookie-cutter Arabic music playing in the background, none of it. It's so awesome to read what other people are going through in their own words, and I think the easiest way to be reminded of everyone's similarities and everyone's humanity.**
It's very short, 1000 words, but 10/10 for me.
Strong recommend.
Edit: here's the synopsis on the page:
In this short story originally written in Farsi and translated by the author, set amid the U.S. bombing of Iran, our narrator worries about his elderly parents, his overweight cat, and a long-awaited delivery.
Edit 2: "feedzebra" is feedzebra.com. I use it for short fiction.
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