This Is How It Always Is

by Laurie Frankel

“She was in a book club?” said Poppy. “Everyone’s in a book club.” “Like with wine?” Poppy was intrigued. “It’s not a book club if there isn’t wine.”

Claude did take a call from Carmelo, whose grandmotherly advice was, “Fuck the bastards,”

In fact, it seemed like everyone in Thailand wanted to look right into his eyes and smile at him. They wanted to ask if he was okay and if he was happy and if he needed anything. Yes, he needed extra strength air-conditioning, toilet paper, and some personal space. And helmets maybe for the little kids on the scooters.