The Big Way Out

By Stephen Cote

Darby is kicked out of the house and into a world seemingly dominated by social finance and universal basic income. Torn from the carefree life she knew and ruing opportunities lost to past decisions, she discovers the failure of adults to raise their children are being addressed in a surprisingly stark and tough-love fashion.

This is a short story of approximately 5,000 words.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stephen Cote
• Release date: Mar 9, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005496968

Stephen Cote

I am a software and security architect and manager. I enjoy writing hard and whimsical science fiction, adult fantasy, and poetry. As an early advocate of Creative Commons licensing, many of my short stories and poems have been available online since 1996.If you would like to learn more about my writing, open source projects, please contact me at [e-mail].

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THE BIG WAY OUT

by Stephen W. Cote

The Big Way Out by Stephen W. Cote. Published by SmashWords

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© 2021 Stephen W. Cote

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Cover by Stephen W. Cote

The Big Way Out

Get out, Darby’s dad said.

Following those two words, Darby expected her dad to fly into blistering criticisms. He didn’t. And, she lost any desire to toss in a few rehearsed zingers. Instead, she wanted to cry. I guess I deserve this.

Right now, her dad said, pointing at her belongings piled on the hardwood floor, and then to the front door. Take the car. I’ll pick it up tomorrow.

Although she had expected to be kicked out, she had hoped she could keep the car. No college, no job, no home, no car, no money.

I’m sorry, she blurted.

He narrowed his eyes, which Darby couldn’t differentiate between anger and pain, walked around the pile and opened the front door.

I’m sorry, she repeated. She bent over and picked up a handbag, slung it atop her left shoulder, and took hold of a suitcase handle in her right. She wheeled it to the door, looked up at her dad, and crossed the threshold into cool, foggy morning air.

Darby pulled the suitcase to