SCAN MAGAZINE WINTER 2022
T h e Ta l e o f
E cho and NarcIssus (short story) Written by Elijah Johnson Illustrated by Anami Hayes Echo only went to the speed dating event because some divine force (read: a desperate need for a human connection) told her too. James had veneers too big for his mouth and talked about the weather. He was a weatherman before he moved, and that was the highlight of his otherwise mediocre life. Otis came on too strong with his never-ending list of business plans. Echo liked a man with a goal, but he was only mature enough for one night, not something serious. Narcissus, though, felt different from the moment he sat down. There was an obvious attraction — the soft honey curls, the way he held his chest when he laughed, the dimple on the left side of a Greek god jawline. Narcissus made her feel safe, something uncommon in L.A. Back home in the shadow of the mountains, everyone knew each other. Here, Echo never saw the same person twice on her daily morning walk.
“A red would’ve paired nicely with your meal.” “Hm. I like reds.” Echo took a sip of her white wine. “Sometimes.” “Like what? Sangrias?” Narcissus chuckled. “I don’t drink drinks sweeter than me. Unless it has cherry notes.”
Narcissus took Echo to one of his friend’s art shows for their first date. He went so far as to preplan the entire thing before, so the only surprise was the art itself. Then there were nail dates, picnics and lunches, but her favorite was the wine tasting event.
“Hm.” Narcissus tried hiding a smile behind his glass. “Cherries are my favorite fruit.”
“Interesting choice,” Narcissus said.
So the speed dating event wasn’t a total fail. Echo had found Narcissus, a man who made her feel things with every supportive note, glance and joke.
“Why is that?” Echo said.
*****
