🎙️ Rachel Davey

Read Rachel's story, My Personal Thief, on Foofaraw now!

Have you ever been robbed?

Yes, I have. This story was actually based on last summer when my phone was stolen from me, my glasses broke, my laptop was spilled on (and broke) and then a ton of my clothes were stolen out of my moving van. All of this happened in rapid succession, and by the end, I felt kind of resigned to it.

Does the protagonist ever get back to living a “normal” life with things and without a personal thief?

I don’t know. To me, the protagonist’s story ends where the actual story does. I literally feel like I can’t even imagine what she’d do next. I suppose she functions as more of an exploration of a certain facet of myself than a real person. 

If you knew someone broke into your house, do you think you’d try to confront them or lay perfectly still?

I would definitely try to confront them. Honestly, if they weren’t threatening me, I might let them take a few things. 

Do you suffer from being too much of a people pleaser?

I can! I am trying to be better about it, and I suppose that’s what this story is somewhat about. Aside from all my stuff getting stolen, the story’s inspiration came from a conversation with a friend about how we hoped the thieves needed my stuff more than I did, and it made me curious about the point at which giving becomes giving your entire self away. 

How many times has this story been rejected by other markets?

I don’t know the exact amount, but it has been rejected. So has all of my other work that’s eventually been published. It just goes to show that taste is subjective. Also, in this field everyone has to be rejected sometimes, so when it happens to me, it’s a check off the list. I just think about how I’m that much closer to being accepted! 

What’s a great short story you’ve read recently?

“A Manual for Cleaning Women” by Lucia Berlin! It also mentions stealing.

What book are you reading right now?

The Blood of Others by Simone de Beauvoir

Do you have anything else you’d like to share?

You can read my other work here, here or here. Thank you!

Thanks to Rachel for burglary and people pleasing!