Sylvia was right on schedule. She sat on the light rail, in a seat that faced an empty seat. Her head was bowed over her phone. Her finger moved rapidly.
An image of two people hugging on a bench. The words: Hugging is a silent way of saying… You matter to me.
Sylvia touched LIKE.
The light rail decelerated at Ocean Avenue. A small crowd of people got off. A small crowd of people boarded. Nobody sat down in the seat opposite Sylvia.
An image of the Dalai Lama. The words: If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.
Sylvia touched LIKE.
The light rail accelerated. It was still very early morning, not quite rush hour. Nobody talked. People in the car bowed their heads over their phones.
An image of the sun rising behind mountains. The words: Father, give me a heart of integrity and compassion.
Syliva touched LIKE.
Outside the sun had just begun to rise. It reflected from the windows of numberless buildings. It promised to be a warm day. At times sunlight blinked into the light rail car.
An image of someone helping a homeless person. The words: Be The Reason someone Smiles today.
Sylvia touched LIKE.
The light rail decelerated at the next station.
A funny image of a cat standing in four enormous human boots. The words: Empathy cat wants to walk in ur shoes.
Sylvia touched LIKE.
An old woman labored onto the light rail, towing a cart full of bulging plastic bags and a rolled sleeping bag. She wore a dirty green jacket, soiled pants and boots.
A happy image of people looking up at a city skyline. The words: Life is not about Quantity of Friends you have, it’s about the Quality of Friends you have.
Sylvia touched LIKE.
The old woman sat down in the seat directly opposite Sylvia.
An image of a young lady walking through the world with her hair flying. The words: I am not lucky. I am blessed.
Sylvia touched LIKE.
Sylvia’s eyes were fixed on her phone. She scrolled through hundreds of images with her restless finger. Once in a while she would pause for a second, indulge in her own reaction. Sometimes she would laugh.
An image of the boy in The Sixth Sense. The words: I see nitwits. No compassion, no empathy, no brains, just nitwits.
Sylvia touched LIKE.
An image of someone sitting on a bench. The words: Wrinkles mean you laughed, grey hair means you cared, and scars mean you lived.
Sylvia touched LIKE.
The old woman stared down at her boots. Her wrinkled hands, folded lightly on her lap, trembled. Her lips moved slightly, as though she wanted to speak.
Sylvia looked at the next image. She read more words. She touched LIKE.
The light rail decelerated. The old woman stood up slowly, struggled to turn her cart full of bulging plastic bags and the rolled sleeping bag, just managed to deboard against the pushing crowd.
Sylvia’s finger summoned a thousand passing images.
She touched LIKE.
Short Stories by Richard 
How could I not click Like?
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I liked your Like!
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no its not a good story
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Why?
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Good short story. Very relevant.
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Thank you.
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Dear Richard,
Thank you. I LIKED your story:) Is it ok with you if I use it in my 10th grade here in Copenhagen? Our topic is Social Media Frenzy , and I was looking for some good short stories when I came across yours.
Mille
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Absolutely! I see that same social media frenzy here in San Diego. It would be interesting to learn how your students react.
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There’s nothing like a good story to convey an important message. Well done Richard.
Bob
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Thanks! Glad you “liked” it! Richard
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It isn’t bad to look at a phone.
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Should you talk to her, Sylvia is probably a very nice person. But does she lead a full life?
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compaction can be one word that means a thousand
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I love the word compaction! I don’t think I’ve ever used it in a story. Thanks for leaving a comment!
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Bro, I used this for my thesis, thanks a bunch
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You’re welcome a bunch!
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Mr. Schulte, I enjoyed your short story very much. I have been looking for more recent and relevant stories to share with my high school English students. I hope you don’t mind if I share your story with them. In a hybrid school environment, where we have to rely so much on technology to even conduct daily classes, it is easy to miss the important moments around us. Thank you so much for sharing.
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Feel free to use the story! I feel very honored that you think it’s worthy.
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Hi Richard! I’m also a teacher, and I would be interested in sharing this story as a warm up to a unit on digital technology if you are okay with that. It is definitely worthy 🙂
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That’s absolutely okay! I feel honored you think it’s worthy! Have a great weekend!
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Hi, again, Richard! My students really engaged with your short story. Thank you for allowing me to share it with my students.
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Very cool! You’re welcome!
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Richard. We love this story. I teach in a Michigan middle school. We are adopting new curriculum through CommonLit 360 (Open source curriculum. Made by teachers for teachers). One of the units is about Social Media but it’s light on any good narrative. Do you have any objections to us using your short story as part of our unit? Please know, I’ve also forwarded this on to CommonLit as they are always looking for fresh, relevant content to put in front of young adults.
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That’s absolutely fine! As a writer, it’s gratifying to know that others read and like what I’ve written! Thank you!
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I don’t quite understand the line “Sylvia’s finger summoned a thousand passing images.”
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She’s scrolling a social media feed on her phone.
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I don’t understand, is Sylvia an empathetic person? What is the meaning of that part describing the old woman？
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Sylvia is most likely a kind person, but she doesn’t notice or connect with the old woman, nor anyone else around her.
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Love this story
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Thanks!
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