36 Comments

Again, thank you!! I am behind in my emails. Since this is a night of insomnia, I am not fussing about not sleeping; I am enjoying catching up with your beautiful creations.

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Your story reminded me that it's June. A sad month for some kids of any color. Could it be because, for the first time, they can't see a path forward?

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Wow. Haunting and beautiful and concise.

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Jun 4, 2022Liked by Sherman Alexie

Maybe he wanted a change to the life he saw after graduation. Get out in the darkness, float downstream a bit, swim to shore, circle back and listen, hidden, to his classmates until all had left. Walk to the highway, hitch a ride, and now he's retired on a beach in Kauai.

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This story has stayed with me. I think it's because, although the adults are still stunned and confused, it's the child's clarity that "rescues" us all. Such a clear sweet voice of that little girl! 🙏 Thanks for another stunner!

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Jun 2, 2022Liked by Sherman Alexie

Sometimes, risky behavior is caused by pain one does not understand.

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Jun 2, 2022Liked by Sherman Alexie

Maybe he almost died on purpose ... wow

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Great job, Sherman! I enjoyed your narration and the story. Looking forward to following your work.

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Jun 2, 2022Liked by Sherman Alexie

Kids really can see the obvious that is often lost to us "Grown Ups".

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Jun 1, 2022Liked by Sherman Alexie

Maybe Bobby didn’t drown. Maybe he swam that river, and then just kept swimming. Maybe his warrior name is Big Fish, and he’s still swimming, and telling big stories.

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Jun 1, 2022Liked by Sherman Alexie

Moving!

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Jun 1, 2022Liked by Sherman Alexie

"The peer pressure to be heroes riding horses all named Grief." Damn.

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This is gorgeous.

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Jun 1, 2022Liked by Sherman Alexie

How do you do that, man? Kicked my guts out from a couple thousand miles away. Thank you, brother.

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Jun 1, 2022Liked by Sherman Alexie

That was really powerful. I've always been terrified of drowning. It's strange, because I was on swim team in high school and was a lifeguard in my late teens and early 20s. Ten years ago I spent ten days in the Bahamas swimming with dolphins. The water is an alien world that is inhospitable to human life, yet so alluring and freeing when you're in it.

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