Andy Stallings

Paradise

There may not have been
research yet, but there was
the human ability to observe.
Collapsed into a garden. The
family, in retrospect, was not
happy at all, with its frequent
divorces, infrequent reunions,
and simple alcoholism. A
perimeter not erected but
emerged. Her mouth didn’t
open correctly, had what my
uncle called a hinge. He
leaped up then, pointed
across the table, and yelled
“That’s right, Heather, I am a
man, I do have a penis,” then
sat back down. As orange as
orange, at last. But what if
“getting out of your comfort
zone” is within your comfort
zone.