I love it. The unrestricted flow from one moment into another, which almost bears no resemblance to the preceding. This way and that, his reality changing; then changing again.
I think the immediacy of present tense enhances an altering landscape. In past tense, there’d be reflection from lessons learned. In the present, I (as reader) am on his journey with him. I have no more inkling of what’s next than Cedric Moon.
The scene as he swims out of the car window reminds me of you landing in St. Louis, ready to leave your past behind, remake yourself into the you of your choosing.
And Elizabeth Cross; can’t wait to see where she goes.
A bit of an aside, from shortly after Partner and I moved to Portland. In early December, I visited with a friend I’d known for years, who’d also landed here. She lives near Hawthorne Street. It’s well-known; has a colorful reputation. While she and I were catching up, Partner took a walk along Hawthorne. Even in the evening, shops are open; lots of foot traffic. Not everyone was on foot, though …
The sound of bagpipes … Silent Night? … heralded a surprise-to-come: a guy in red jacket, white-fur trim, and Santa cap, blowing pipes and peddling by on a unicycle.
It was the first thing Partner mentioned, when he came to pick me up that night. A fittingly magical intro to the Hawthorne District … and Portland, too. As they say: Keep it weird.
I vote: Yeah. Do write the rest.
And some Hawthorne in broad daylight:
