Index of Refraction, by Joe Casey

[Merkin]

This story is filled with pain, with truth, with might-have-been and if-I-only.  Don’t read it if you are not prepared to tear up and sit silently for a long time afterward. 

https://awesomedude.org/joe-casey/index-of-refraction/index-of-refraction.htm

[Altimexis]

The index of refraction is defined as the ratio between the speed of wave propagation in one medium to that in another. In optics, it refers to the ratio between the speed of light in glass versus air. In the context of this story, it’s the ratio between the speed of light in water versus air. When a beam of light passes through an interface between two media, it’s bent by an amount that’s easily calculated using trig. It’s a simple high school physics problem with no calculus needed.

Joe Casey has once again proven himself to be a master storyteller. In this case, the title refers to the way objects under water appear to be in a different location than they really are, which is a consequence of the index of refraction. It’s an ingenious analogy about how we often try to reach for something - a goal or ideal - only to find that it’s not where we expect it to be.

Merkin has stated it perfectly - this is an incredible, nuanced story that will leave the reader in tears and staring blankly at their screen when they finish reading it.

[Cole Parker]

Wonderful story, and he's told me he has more coming.  Great news.

C

[Joe Casey]

Thank you for your kind comments! This was the first story I ever submitted online, on GA many years ago.