Genres: Fantasy, Modern Fantasy
Cast of Wonders 289: Blood and Water (Staff Picks 2017)
Show Notes
Every year in January, Cast of Wonders takes the month off to recharge, plan the year ahead and highlight some of our favorite episodes. Throughout the month, different members of the Cast of Wonders crew will present their favorite story of 2017.
Our final Staff Picks episode for 2017 is hosted by editor Marguerite Kenner.
Blood and Water
by Jason Kimble
The year we turned nineteen, the boy I loved disappeared under the waves of Lake Michigan, but he didn’t die. I never told anyone. That he was alive. That I loved him. That he
My fingertip goes white as I smash down on the delete key and the cursor devours my words.
The broken swimming trophy lies sideways on the kitchen table. I stare at it as I dial, ignore the cat mewling, exiled, on the other side of the door. I count the rings of the phone at my ear. Seven rings (for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone) before Mr. Gravere picks up.
“Why are you calling, Mike?” Gravere says.
“It’s about a book,” I say. “I … think that I loaned it to Andy, before–”
“That wasn’t his name.” I can’t decide if the ice sheathing Mr. Gravere’s voice is better or worse than his scalding anger at the funeral.
“It’s special. A first edition. Return of the King. My mother–”
“So special it took you five years to notice it missing?”
“It’s just … ” I turn the gilded swimmer in my hand.
“I told you when he died, Michael: you’re not welcome here. Live without the book. I’m living without a whole lot more.” Mr. Gravere hangs up. (Continue Reading…)
