Brian and Trevor’s neighbors from childhood had moved. The street where they had learned to ride bicycles appeared blank under the searing sun. It felt unreal, as if no children now—or ever—ran around shouting there.  Why go in? The body was at the town funeral home, awaiting cremation. ...

Brian began tending to decent but minimal arrangements for their father. No need for Trevor to get into it, though. Their crazy old man had run the Brandon YMCA for thirty years without ever engendering a moment’s sympathy. Their childhood house of horrors and whatever was in it Brian would leave ...

Brian asked Trevor to sit down and say how he knew their father had died. Was he sure? “Yes.� Trevor rubbed his face and looked up. He said, “Well…� and halted. He said, “Brian…� but could not think what to say next. Brian watched, practically stunned. Trevor’s expression shifted f...

Brian had overreacted. Just because so many people apparently felt “one love� in Trevor’s presence; just because Trevor bandied about the Rastafarian expression I-and-I, suggesting that regular, selfish people were capable of finding universal unity with God—did not necessarily make Trevor a...

The arts festival was a massive success. After Friday’s dinner, Trevor introduced the bonfire. “Purely voluntary,� he said, announcing the use of ganja, rather let it go unmentioned, which is what Brian expected. “Part of the ceremony includes the littlest bit of herb. To lift us up. So if i...

Brian tapped on Angelina’s front door. He needed her help getting his car fixed. Officer Ingersoll’s irritation after the rear-end accident had stuck with him.[Click here to read the first episode, or here to read the previous one.] Angelina opened the door, her face turned away as Kaya’s voic...

Brian showered and shaved, eager to pick up Trevor from the airport. After driving for ten minutes, however, he no longer felt buoyant and happy. Slowly but surely a killer hang-over kicked in. He pulled onto the road’s muddy shoulder and vomited coffee, bourbon, and bile. So when the jeep slammed...

* Angelina told Hailey that Carla was returning to run the meal service. Hailey would act polite, since Carla had apologized several times for pounding her in the kitchen. But polite or not, she would stay alert. Not like the first time, which was a surprise attack. Angelina said, “Relax, honey. T...

* Angelina told Hailey that Carla was returning to run the meal service. Hailey would act polite, since Carla had apologized several times for pounding her in the kitchen. But polite or not, she would stay alert. Not like the first time, which was a surprise attack.  Angelina said, “Relax, h...

Stay or go? Keep on working here and get a college degree while I’m watching over Brian who’s watching over me? Or shake out until I find what’s next? A pressure pushes me, but I’m not ready: Too many things unsettled. For months Brian and Hailey shone like one love in my mind. Now that they...