Midwest Molting
"Richmond, Indiana isn’t a tourist destination. It’s squat within the Bible and Rust Belt. Its local identity has been blanched by franchises that stretch for miles along State Route 40. McAlister’s and Dick’s Sporting Goods have tip-toed Richmond into modernity, but its roots in agriculture are still present. Farmers park in front of Auto Zone or Rent-a-Center to sell produce from the back of their vans...."
Clean Plate Club
"I’ve been thinking about the “Clean Plate Club” a lot these days because, for better or for worse, that’s the way I was raised. Two parents and five hungry kids were stuffed in one household, so you piled your plate with as much food as you could—assuming the others would do the same—and you ate it all...."
Going Out Of Business
"You wouldn’t even need to see the clearance signs in the windows to know that Toys “R” Us is in its death throws. The doors slide open and despite the kids’ screams at the check-out counters, the store balloons with silence. Shelves are still packed with wiffle-balls, bubbles, kids’ sun-glasses, pool inflatables. Clothing racks are heavy with springy onesies, sun-dresses, and cargo shorts. Imagine the sounds of life that will occupy them. Imagine those things at home. Imagine the sounds of laughter, breath pulling in and out of green lungs, and the sounds of small sneakers shwishing through earthy, sun-baked grass.
The silence that shares the same space is uncomfortable...."