All the Ugly and Wonderful Things

by Bryn Greenwood

“Ursa Minor is north tonight. Little Dipper,” I said, because Grandma called it that. I drew it in the palm of her hand, so she would remember. She nodded. By the time the sun came up, she was asleep again, and she didn’t wake up. Mr. Arsenikos said if you knew the constellations you would never get lost. You could always find your way home.

I could have told him there was no sense in rushing toward being dead. It would find you soon enough, and before it did there were pleasures to make your heart hurt less.