This story by Jason Brown contrasts the platonic first love a junior high schooler feels for the boy she has been going with since sixth grade to intense feelings she develops for a classmate with a “bad boy” reputation. Initially, the new relationship appears perfect as he treats her with respect and they discuss dreams and plans for the future. However, things take a potentially tragic turn when, confused and ashamed, she calls it off after experiencing a moment of sexual arousal during a petting session in the backseat of a car. Themes: love, sexuality, desire, passion, guilt, shame, retribution. More…
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Animal Stories
In this story by Jason Brown, a melancholic young man struggles to deal with his mother’s looming death from a brain tumor. Spanning a brief period from her initial diagnosis in hospital to her refusal of treatment and car ride home, the story is interspersed with memories of the past and diversions involving animal videos playing on the TV in her room. The memories have as much to do with the young man coming to terms with his failures in life as they do with his mother’s deteriorating state of mind. Themes: memories, dysfunctionality, mental instability, devotion, acceptance, nature. More…