Crossroads Contest

Les Miserables. "The Road Not Taken." Casablanca.

Heart-wrenching decisions, seemingly impossible choices—this is the stuff of narrative gold. Many stories, both fictional and true, contain a character standing at a crossroads, debating a difficult choice. As we approach a historic election, we invite you to tell a story, either from real life or completely made-up, in fifty words or less, about a crossroads.

Here are some examples of stories that take place at a crossroads: 

“Sapphire or cerulean?” Rose said.   

“The difference?” Kathy uncrossed her legs and rolled over on the bed to consider the two dresses.

“Life-altering. If I don’t pick right, no one will dance with me and I’ll end up single and alone and sad forever.”

“Oh, well, in that case, cerulean.”

-Sam Dunne

The pink plus sign, hovering in its little impersonal screen, seemed to extend in all directions, going nowhere. Her fingers trembled. It was like something had slammed behind her, stronger than the metal door to the office ladies’ room stall. Maybe being a mom wouldn’t be so bad, she thought.

-Emma Stephenson