Spring has sprung, and with it, smiley faces. When yellow crocuses bloom all over town in the shape of an emoji during April’s first warm days, reporter Nero Storm is sent out to discover their meaning and origin.<br><br>Nero has little to smile about himself, what with dysfunctional family drama and a tragic love life. The previous fall, it seemed as if he might have finally met the man of his dreams in dog daddy, ride share operator, and charity organizer Z. Though the two spent but ten morning and evening car rides together, sparks flew. Unfortunately, at the end of that time, Nero witnessed a crime, and Z disappeared.<br><br>Now, as the rest of the world looks forward to a new beginning promised by spring, Nero is left to wonder. Are the smiley face flowers a message for him, and will he ever see Z’s smile again for real?

21 Smiles

“Oh, sure. He’d never notice. He is handsome…hot.” I told her about the man bun. “And a beard, and chest hair.” I grunted.


Carmen was happy for me and my instantaneous crush. She even eagerly engaged in my premature fantasies about the future. My bosses at the station seemed happy with my work, too. Frasier called me a master at the walk and talk, speaking into the camera while actually moving, instead of just standing in one spot. “You’d be surprised how many people find it difficult,” he said.


I put that skill to work early the next week, my second on the air.


Chapter 19