My child could draw that.

My child could draw that.

When the first billionaire exploded I was at the drive-thru with my dad.

When the first billionaire exploded I was at the drive-thru with my dad.

His voice, crisp like apple vodka, poured into the September air.

His voice, crisp like apple vodka, poured into the September air.

I looked up at Rudy, his back hitting the air like a ruler. The mind is an act of balance, he said, looking at me. It is a lever for the body.

I looked up at Rudy, his back hitting the air like a ruler. The mind is an act of balance, he said, looking at me. It is a lever for the body.

Who could need this much flesh? Four pounds of Louisiana crawfish, one pound of Alaskan king crab legs, six pounds swordfish steaks, a pound of oysters, three pounds lobster tails, five ribeye steaks, three New York strips, six T-bones, four packs of stew beef, two family packs of chicken drumsticks, and enough shrimp to fill five plastic shopping bags.

Who could need this much flesh? Four pounds of Louisiana crawfish, one pound of Alaskan king crab legs, six pounds swordfish steaks, a pound of oysters, three pounds lobster tails, five ribeye steaks, three New York strips, six T-bones, four packs of stew beef, two family packs of chicken drumsticks, and enough shrimp to fill five plastic shopping bags.

Last summer everyone was wrestling. Claudia started it. She said It’s been so long since I touched someone and threw Tobias on the ground.

Last summer everyone was wrestling. Claudia started it. She said It’s been so long since I touched someone and threw Tobias on the ground.

HEY THERE, Bill Baxter. This is your friend Sue Parnet. I just now saw your name pop up and decided it is time to see how you are doing.

HEY THERE, Bill Baxter. This is your friend Sue Parnet. I just now saw your name pop up and decided it is time to see how you are doing.

At the Metropolitan Ave Kmart, there was a parking lot in the sky.

At the Metropolitan Ave Kmart, there was a parking lot in the sky.

DAY 10:

The part of the novel where your character goes to Applebee’s to forget.

DAY 10:

The part of the novel where your character goes to Applebee’s to forget.

He told me he was in the process of determining the next stage of his life.

He told me he was in the process of determining the next stage of his life.

There was a frog in our house.

There was a frog in our house.

We’d thought he only taxidermized celebrities’ pets. But then we saw him crossing the yard carrying Mickey Rooney.

We’d thought he only taxidermized celebrities’ pets. But then we saw him crossing the yard carrying Mickey Rooney.

She smiles and waves at me. I return her smile, mine more faint than hers, and I see her catching sight of something or someone behind me.