The short stories tend to be a journalistic gathering of anecdotes that are put together to make something larger.

Marla tells me how in the wild you don't see old animals because as soon as they age, animals die. If they get sick or slow down, something stronger kills them. Animals aren't meant to get old. Marla lies down on her bed and undoes the tie on her bathrobe, and says our culture has made death something wrong. Old animals should be an unnatural exception. Freaks.

If it is the case that love does survive death, then you may consider this to be a happy ending. Boy meets girl. Boy gets girl. Happily ever after or not.

The liberator who destroys my property is fighting to save my spirit. The teacher who clears all possessions from my path will set me free.

How much can you know about yourself if you've never been in a fight?

Don't do this. I love you. Don't shut me out.

A couple drinks. A couple aspirin. Repeat.