Yellow Heart, Green Heart

A Short Story

By: Emma Chastain

Narrated by: Daniel Serafini-Sauli

In a story set during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, a couple’s marriage is tested by the strain of quarantine.

It’s summertime in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ian has lost his job, while his wife, Parker, thrives in her e-commerce career. Parker’s days are frenetic and full. When she’s not in Zoom meetings, she’s doom-scrolling about the virus or hanging out on Houseparty with her friends. Meanwhile, Ian claims to spend his days looking for a full-time job, but he’s mostly goofing around on Tik Tok and taking their dog, Hutch, for longer-than-necessary walks. What he really wants is to start a family, but Parker still isn’t ready. Now she’s saying she isn’t sure she’ll ever be ready. A rift grows between them, even as they’re quarantined together.

Then, Ian runs into their 23-year-old dogwalker, Frankie, who is also bored and out of work. Frankie doesn’t wear a mask, goes to outdoor bars, and lives with a roommate. Around her, Ian’s vigilance slips, and at the first hint that Frankie is flirting with him, he sidelines Parker’s strict safety protocols. One thing leads to another, Ian’s choices tumbling like a line of dominoes, until more than just his marriage’s survival is on the line....

©2021 Emma Chastain (P)2020 Audible Originals

Awesome Quick Listen

Perfect from begining to end. Felt very real and honest. Great listen. Great treasure. Must listen.

Brutal Relationship

Whenever two people live life separately this can become the result and it can be devastating to recover yourself back into life.

Captivating

This story was different then I originally thought but it surprisingly captivating. A great short story.

Great 45 Min!

This was so enjoyable! I walked my dog and cleaned while listening. I was hooked into the story and the narrator did a nice job. I also enjoyed the accompanying sounds for the story. The thing that impressed me most was how the author captured so many aspects, thoughts, reactions, and fears of the pandemic and had a great story in 45 minutes. Glad I have this a chance!

excellent short story

Loved this short story about the living through the first few months of Covid in NYC. Parker's obsession with Covid news felt deeply relatable, and I loved how my perception of who she was changed over the course of the story. Anyone who lives/has lived in Brooklyn knows their own version of Ian from Williamsburg. I thought the narrator was excellent, and thoroughly enjoyed this story.