Myles Zavelo’s Carlotta’s Jacuzzi is a haunting, raw, and fiercely introspective short story that examines themes of guilt, identity, and the complexities of human relationships. Set against the backdrop of an emotionally charged college environment, Zavelo weaves a narrative that is as uncomfortable as it is captivating, leaving the reader questioning the boundaries between truth, memory, and self-delusion.

The story follows Matthew, a young man mired in scandal and shame after being accused of sexual misconduct. The narrative shifts between his confused, distorted recollections of events and his present-day encounters with Carlotta, a friend who becomes increasingly alienated from him. Zavelo captures Matthew’s internal struggle with a precision that is both unsettling and empathetic. As Matthew reflects on his past mistakes and his fractured relationships, Zavelo expertly navigates the murky waters of personal responsibility and self-justification.

One of the most striking aspects of Carlotta’s Jacuzzi is Zavelo’s ability to delve into the complexities of guilt. Matthew’s struggle to reconcile his actions with his understanding of himself forms the emotional core of the story. Throughout the narrative, Zavelo skillfully plays with the concept of memory, blurring the lines between what is real and what Matthew wants to believe, forcing the reader to grapple with the uncertainty of truth.

The dynamic between Matthew and Carlotta is equally compelling. As their relationship deteriorates, Carlotta becomes both a symbol of Matthew’s past mistakes and a reminder of the emotional distance that has grown between them. Zavelo captures the tension between the characters with great sensitivity, highlighting the fragility of human connections and the emotional toll of unaddressed trauma.

Zavelo’s writing is sharp, often darkly humorous, and laced with moments of biting introspection. The story’s stark imagery—especially the unsettling scene involving the jacuzzi—serves as a metaphor for Matthew’s emotional state. The moment is charged with a sense of both physical and psychological vulnerability, encapsulating the core of Matthew’s turmoil.

Ultimately, Carlotta’s Jacuzzi is a story about the human capacity for self-deception and the struggle to move forward in the face of personal accountability. Zavelo’s exploration of the inner workings of guilt, the complexities of memory, and the unraveling of relationships makes this story a powerful, thought-provoking read.

You can read Carlotta’s Jacuzzi in full on the Alaska Quarterly Review. Don’t miss out on this intense and beautifully written exploration of the human psyche.