Bam baby, not just back, but he comes in flying!
This is brilliant, the way you open in the mundane, setting the tones of normality, a very relatable situation. Talking to himself, the mutter under the breath, addressing himself as "you" captures that detached wonder at the self so well.
It then builds into the feeling of being outwit by an appliance, (which kind of speaks a depth about a life of obstacles, and enjoying tackling something that seems simple enough to solve). There is a fine line here between humor and horror in the personification of the washing machine. The sudden switch into fantasy, at the touch of a sock is so well done, it hits harder than a body drop for its contrast to the tone so far. And then sock world! A wonderful bit of nonsense humor, that holds a mirror to perspectives, transformed into pure horror with the twist of skill.
I love that what he saw as trapped, for the socks, was freed, and a human cobble street, sounds like a plan i'd like, i always wanted a floor that 'sang' as i walked over it, 'screamed' is just as good :p
RE: [Short Story] - The missing socks