Happy After All

by Maisey Yates

“I like to read books with penises,” Alice says, waving a hand, not bothering to look up. “Because I don’t have them in my real life, and I don’t want them. They’re best in fiction.” I’ve never loved her more.

“If I have a hill I’m willing to die on, that’s the one,” I say. “Falling in love when everything is terrible is as brave an act as blowing shit up. Except it’s something regular, everyday people can choose to do. A radical act of real-life bravery.”