Sandpiper Feet

This story was selected for publication in the 2025 Next Generation Short Story Awards Anthology of Winners. The inspiration for Sandpiper Feet came when someone close to me made a brave and difficult decision – the decision to come out. The story was a finalist in the LGBTQ+ genre, but won the award in the Wild Card category. I don’t know which means more to me. The competition and book are supported by the Next Generation Indie Book Awards, the largest international awards program for indie authors and independent publishers. If you prefer holding a book in your hands, you can find one at Headline Books or Amazon.

The warm light of dusk shone through the dragonfly’s filigreed wings, illuminating each tiny pane and casting rainbow shadows that Angel captured in her tiny palm. She followed the creature’s movement as it careened off invisible breezes in search of unseen midges. Its wings twitched robotically, sending it forward, backward, and sideways in neck-wrenching maneuvers above the boat’s deck. You are so strange and so beautiful, thought Angel. How can you be so lovely to some and so frightening to others? Angel’s papa sat behind her with his weathered riding boots perched on the port side railing. He lit his pipe and released a stream of white smoke that chased the no-see-ums away. The dragonfly paused midair in confusion and then pivoted leeward in pursuit of prey downwind.