CiTR

In this episode, I take a deep dive into my short story Core Memory, which follows Oren, a man sent to inspect a water park, only to find himself overwhelmed by memories of his late father. I explore how the setting, a decaying site of childhood joy, mirrors Oren’s emotional state and acts as a trigger for memory and grief.

I will break down key creative choices, including the decision to blend the physical act of inspection with sensory flashbacks.

Throughout the episode, I analyze lines and images that anchor the story’s emotional weight, considering how they build atmosphere, evoke sensory memory, and deepen the emotional undercurrents of Oren’s journey. I reflect on how these choices invite the reader to feel time folding in on itself—where grief doesn’t announce itself loudly, but lingers in texture, sound, and place.

By exploring the layering of language and symbolism, I show how the story doesn’t simply recount loss, it allows the reader to sit inside it, to walk with it, and ultimately, to find quiet resonance in the spaces where love once lived.