It was a hot, moist day under the kipple. The sun came in shafts, left in steam and came back again in mildew and condensate. Bernard straightened his back for the first time in several days, having finally found his way out of the complex. So many days of nothing but tarpaulin and corrugate, and he was happy only to be under unfiltered sun and tree shade. The steam came off him and did not stop for quite some time.

"I knew I'd find you here," said the girl with the short red hair. "My aunt can tell the future."

Lia was four years old the first time she fell in love. Joey was five. He lived in the apartment above hers.
Joey believed he could fly. No, Joey knew he could fly. Of course, no one believed him. So he was set to prove it.

Jack was twenty-two when he had his epiphany. Doctors, lawyers and friends called it a nervous break-
down or, “Jack’s episode,” but Jack saw it as a blessing. He could see things clearly now.