My brother is a horticulturist. From where nobody knows. We are a family of merchants, shopkeepers, purveyors of service; none of us is concerned with growth. But my brother keeps two hundred healthy

In the upper berth was a woman who began at about eight o’clock to weep softly. At first Mary did not find this troublesome. In fact, the weeping, which never verged on the hysterical or distraught, was

1942: the soldiers were already in the courtyard, calling their names. It was early in the morning, very early, five in the morning, in July, I think. Or perhaps August. Hard to remember now.

Jessica popped out of Debby’s tummy and said, “tell me a story. Dad.” While a nurse wiped the other world from her eyes I started to tell. All the kids from my own childhood appeared. There was Bad

Jungle Play. Short not very long, fun to play jungle animal game. Directions: 2 monkeys, 2 camels, 3 hippos & 4 alligators. All the alligators stand on a chair. All the hippos stand on the paint. The 

I owe all this to Gabriel Ratchet. It was he who arranged for the round-trip ticket, two seats side by side, on Scandinavian Airlines, got me my reservation in the King Gustaf Holiday Inn, deodorized my

To get a circumcision in Italy is a major operation. For example, if you are born in the General Clinic in Bologna, the gynecologist will not do it. You have to go to Florence. The Italians are a type who if

In the Manichaean future, well-vaccinated against privacy and factions, there will be two countries. For purposes of recognition we must name them: one will be called Houston, the other Peking.

I prepare to jump from the windowledge, but at the back of my head is a voice that says, “What are you doing, you idiot?” But it’s insignificant, that voice. Maybe next time I won’t take it into account.

A married man is in love with me. Everyone has something to say. “Again?” Carl says. Carl used to be a heartbreaker, blond and beautiful, but has given it up. This is now: he refuses to walk on the