Silence

by Keith Hoerner

The sweet Nebraska breeze swept wavelets across the wheat, brushed its kiss along each crops’ tassel, just as the auctioneer announced Parcel 43 open for bid. Silence. David Billingsly stood ready; his family farm was—again—within reach. But with nearly 20 local farmers sitting in tow, many with banks at their backs, he knew the chance of regaining his familial legacy had only one leg to stand on. Then, the bidding began. And… silence? He raised his paddle and put out his highest offer. Again, silence. Stunned, David heard the gavel, looked into everyone's glassy eyes, and saw home.

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Keith Hoerner (BS, MFA, current PhD student) is founding editor of the Webby Award recognized Dribble Drabble Review, an online literary ezine and print anthology series of all things "little-ature." His work has been featured in 160+ lit mags / anthologies across five continents.

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