The End of Loneliness

by Benedict Wells

You were and remained whoever the others thought you were.

realized that I enjoyed telling stories just as much as I had when I was ten. My short stories were modeled on “An Indomitable Heart” by A. N. Romanov, whom Alva worshipped almost as much as Tolstoy or McCullers. “You’re really talented, Jules,” she said. “You must keep writing; you’re bound to be an author one day.” “I don’t know. Photos are more precise, more true.” “Sometimes lies are better.” I had to do my compulsory civilian service in Munich, and that evening I asked her if

Add to my own TO READ list

burn the pages, and according to Liz the smoke blew away and was breathed in by others who, that night, would dream whatever it

Beautiful imagery

balanced our again, just like that.”

Like a boxer staggering back to his corner, beaten by his younger self. —