Pneumadectomy: After Dinner Conversation, #39

By Harris Coverley

Synopsis - A young boy is ostracized by his friends because he has had his soul surgically removed.

After Dinner Conversation is a growing series of short stories across genres to draw out deeper discussions with friends and family. Each story is an accessible example of an abstract ethical or philosophical idea and is accompanied by suggested discussion questions.

Podcast discussions of this short story, and others, is available on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, and Youtube.

• Language: English
• Publisher: After Dinner Conversation
• Release date: Apr 10, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393375999

Book preview

Pneumadectomy

After Dinner Conversation Series

ROLLY STOOD FOR A FEW minutes in the shade of the large oak, just out of sight of the boys gathered on the dry shaven green of the bowls club. All aged around eleven like himself, they were dividing up their meagre numbers for a game of soccer, knowing that since it was a Friday afternoon, the pensioned members of the club would not be bothering them. The light was getting a bit dim, but the warmth of the midday sun was still in the air.

Rolly knew Patrick and Liam well enough—they had been friends going back to reception class—and had seen the other six boys here and there; the tallest with the ginger hair he was sure was called Lachlan. And how long had it been since he had had a good game of footie? Not for a good four months, not since the operation, and certainly now with his recuperation period over and his mother finally letting him go out again, albeit with her hands knotting as she allowed it, it was high time to get a game in, just like he used to.

Deciding it was safe enough, Rolly ventured out of the shadows and onto the green.

As soon as they saw him, the boys stopped their pre-game selection chat and turned to look at Rolly in silence.

Hi guys, Rolly said meekly, with a weak