1
Shouldering the duffel bag with the Marine Corps bulldog, Old Man knocked Jan's photo off the bed table. He turned to stone staring down at the photo. His face then splintered into hurt. Tears seeped into his eyes. He grappled for the nearest bedpost and slumped forward on extended arms. His shoulders jerked and head sagged a little while his heart broke. Old Man cried the mute cry of men of his generation. .Ed Lynskey
2
My feet crunched over dry hickory leaves. Wood rangers had stapled up Smokey Bear (“Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires! ”) signs along the state roads. One cigarette butt flicked out a passing car window and there’d be real hell to pay.Ed Lynskey
3
In near panic, I craned my neck to gaze over the cabin’s roofline a bursting fireball.Ed Lynskey
4
Just the night before, a puma’s howl had set a chill at my spine and, man, life didn’t get any richer than that.Ed Lynskey