Echoes of Expectation

In this compelling collection of 35 flash fiction stories, acclaimed author P. A. Farrell (author of “Unexpected Short Tales of Surprise”) masterfully explores the universal human experience of waiting—those suspended moments between hope and despair, anticipation and resignation, dreams and reality.

From an obsessive search for the mysterious calendar girl in “Calendar Girl” to Sarah's journey from financial desperation to musical breakthrough in “Water on the Side,” each story captures characters at pivotal crossroads where time seems to stand still. Whether it's Marie struggling with grocery bags while her neighbor walks past in “Lessons From 2A,” or the haunting voices of children's shoes in “Sole Stories” whispering their final memories, Farrell transforms ordinary moments of waiting into extraordinary revelations about human nature.

These stories span genres and generations—from a former dancer facing her last performance to environmental activists fighting developers, from treasure hunters discovering family history to ambitious office workers whose schemes backfire spectacularly. Each tale reveals how waiting shapes us, challenges us, and ultimately defines who we become.

What makes this collection extraordinary:

35 diverse flash fiction pieces that can be read in minutes but linger for hours

Characters facing life-changing decisions during moments of suspension

Unexpected plot twists that redefine everything you thought you knew

Emotional depth that packs a full novel's impact into just a few pages

Stories that range from heartwarming to haunting, realistic to magical

Perfect for readers who love:

Literary fiction with emotional punch

Short story collections by Alice Munro, Tobias Wolff, or Jorge Luis Borges

Stories that explore the complexity of human relationships

Fiction that finds profound meaning in everyday moments

Echoes of Expectation proves that the most powerful stories often happen not in moments of action, but in the spaces between—where hope and fear dance together, and where a single moment of waiting can change everything.

Don't just read these stories—experience them. Order your copy today and discover why sometimes the most important moments in life are the ones where nothing seems to happen at all.