SOLVED. Fiction, Short Story - Man's Wife Dies, doesn't seem upset, drives to store with his dog in the car. [s]

[Mark]

I read a short story in high school where this man's wife dies (or is injured) but he seems indifferent. I remember he drives to a convenience store with his dog in the car and he wonders if the clerk will engage in a relationship with him out of pity for his wife's death. Basically, the short story is analyzing the man's emotional reaction to his wife's death. He seems very detached. And iirc, his dog almost dies in his car while he's in the store because it's a hot day outside. Again, this was a short story that I read in high school. I don't think it was very old at the time (my guess is written in the 2000s), and I have a very vague memory of there being the word "red" in the title but I'm really not sure.

[Amy]

I’m 99% sure this is by Stephen King and is in one of his short story anthologies, but I can’t remember which one!

[Mark]

Amy wrote: "I’m 99% sure this is by Stephen King and is in one of his short story anthologies, but I can’t remember which one!"

Yes, that sounds right! I think it was Stephen King. Thanks for the lead, I'll do some digging and report back if I find it.

[Mark]

Amy wrote: "I’m 99% sure this is by Stephen King and is in one of his short story anthologies, but I can’t remember which one!"

Found it! "Premium Harmony" by Stephen King. A short story published in The New Yorker in 2009, and collected in The Bazaar of Bad Dreams (2015). Thanks again for the help!

[Kris]

Glad you found your story, Mark. Here's the link - Premium Harmony (in The Bazaar of Bad Dreams) by Stephen King.