Scott Holleran’s writing appears in literature, including Classic Chicago magazine, which debuted fiction with his stories in 2024. Listen to the author read his fiction aloud at ShortStoriesByScottHolleran.substack.com. Read his non-fiction at ScottHolleran.substack.com. In Parentheses previously published Mr. Holleran’s “Christened Bliss” and “Escape from Indigena”. His self-published collection of short stories is forthcoming and he has received third prize in the Chicago-based Line of Advance literary journal’s 10th annual Col. Darron L. Wright Memorial Writing Awards. S. Holleran has work featured in the recent issue of In Parentheses Literary Magazine (Summer 2025). Listen to “Escape from Indigena” here. Read “Christened Bliss” here.
Prime Mover
During my morning walk, I was suddenly alerted to a dark figure gliding by — going in the same direction — on the other side of the street. As the figure passed on my right, in a silent blur, I discerned that the figure was a man on a skateboard. I noticed he wasn’t wearing a helmet.
Without regard to the merits of going without a helmet, I closely watched as he went by. I saw the outline of his body which appeared to be a lean to mid-muscular physique. Because I’m unaccustomed to seeing a skateboarder without a safety helmet, I paid particular attention to his balance, control and rate of acceleration. I often see people on scooters, bikes, horses and skateboards during my walks. This skateboarder’s ability can only be described as perfect.
Above the waist, he held perfectly still. His shoulders, neck, head and arms were relaxed and unmoved. Below his waist, the hips moved with the wheels in syncopation. I could see the outline of his calves above his feet, which were firmly planted on the board. As he went past and down a slight decline and across the street into the lot of a motion picture studio near where I go on my walks, I was impressed with his skills. I had never seen someone move so easily and with such command of a skateboard. He disappeared behind the studio’s animation building.
The thought occurred to me at that point that this was a bold and daring young man. How wonderful to see confidence displayed with grace, poise and ease— with such agility that his athletic display observably earned in him the sense of superiority to ride without a helmet. That he appears to work at an artistic studio is additionally gratifying to me. In any case, watching this man’s smooth exhibition of ability — rendered without bravado, recklessness or histrionics — was like seeing a man glide on air with a sense of joy in perpetual motion.
The sight of a skateboarder in his prime was sublime.
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By In Parentheses in Volume 10
48 pages, published 10/15/2025
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