Drinker of Ink

by Shannon Castleton

My whole life, I’ve thought a man’s face was his greatest attracting quality, but when I dared look at Peter Breznik, as I did for about ten seconds today, I realized there’s more to attraction. For example, the way a man can so obviously communicate a private message, such as, “I got my sweatshirt and liked your cookies,” to an introvert, while at the same time speaking so nonchalantly and directly with an extrovert like Julie, made me want to privately kiss Peter Breznik speechless.

This is your life right now. It might be both happy and sad, but where there’s happiness—like, good, bright happiness—you take it.”

“I guess perfection is just . . .” Dropping the tote-strap to her hand, she began slowly swinging it. “Not thinking of what could be different.”

“I try not to spend a lot of time wishing,”

to write is to allow pain and love and memory and time to exist outside yourself. You breathe when the words are out.