• Contemporaneous: A Living Novel

    Contemporaneous: Chapters 60 – 61

    60. In the movies, whenever couples hook up, the next scene usually cuts directly to wherever one of them live – they’ll be kissing, undressing, so passionate they can’t contain themselves. Everything will be so desperate but synchronized. But movies do that. It’s like seeing a character find parking right outside of their destination. Usually, in real life, we circle around, trying to find anywhere to park. But movies cut to the conclusion because they don’t have time to spend on that meaningless shit. Rachel walks me back to her car – a Yaris – and then drives me back to my own; she grabs my address, but says she’ll…

  • Contemporaneous: A Living Novel

    Contemporaneous: Chapters 50 – 51

    50. I don’t sleep, because although I’m tired, even unnaturally drowsy, sleeping’s for the contented, and all I can think about now is what I do with myself. Lana’s done. I tried the relationship thing. Gone. It’s not her fault – it’s mine, more than anybody’s, because I’ve grown so intolerant, so bedded in expectation of what won’t work. I can’t do that again, can’t try that again. Hopefully, Lana can find somebody who fills her needs. Work? Blah. I should be encouraged that the CEO, Victoria Ellis, considered me to fill in for Autumn. I should. But it’s not gratifying, which tells me it’s not for me, although some…