Still lives PDF
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Boston University OpenBU http://open.bu.edu Theses & Dissertations Boston University Theses & Dissertations 2015 Still lives https://hdl.handle.net/2144/14057 Boston University BOSTON UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES Thesis STILL LIVES A Short Story Collection by KATHLEEN MCGUNAGLE B.A., Princeton University, 2014 Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Fine Arts 2015 © 2015 by KATHLEEN MCGUNAGLE All rights reserved Approved by First Reader _________________________________________________________ Leslie Epstein Professor of Creative Writing Second Reader _________________________________________________________ Sigrid Nunez Professor of Creative Writing We work in the dark - we do what we can - we give what we have. Our doubt is our passion, and our passion is our task. The rest is the madness of art. Henry James iv For The Cohort v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I have been honored this year to take part within an unparalleled circle of criticism and exploration. This project would not have been possible without those who made the creative workshop the vigorous, rewarding experience it was. For the most demanding workshop imaginable, the valuable lesson of perseverance, and new attention to structure and narrative (and the elusive echo), my deepest thanks to Mr. Leslie Epstein; for wisdom and precision, I thank Ha Jin; and for inspiration, wit, and example, my gratitude goes to Sigrid Nunez. No writer should view a collection as final—these pieces are very much still alive. It is thus impossible to look at these stories without seeing (and hearing) the thoughts, touches, and perspectives of those who saw them from the first, so my greatest share of gratitude goes to the most brilliant writers I know: Michael, Caroline, Zoe, Michelle, Jamie, Jeff, Weike, Leigh, and Jillian. And, of course, my greatest reader of all: Adam. Thank you. vi Contents Neighbors 1 The Last Best Place 23 Still Lives 57 vii 1 Neighbors The Christmas Tea is on the sixth floor of the downtown Hilton, which Sloan feels was a poor choice. The Hilton only has four elevators, and because no one wants to chase their children up six flights of stairs, no matter how grand the staircase, the lines of kids in Christmas dresses and miniature suits stretch out into the lobby. The parents look weary before the tea has even begun. Thankfully, Jim and Karen told them two o’clock—not three as scheduled— so Sloan and Lorraine are able to meet them at their table without much trouble or delay. Karen has her blonde hair up in a chignon, and she is wearing an ivory pea coat that Lorraine immediately eyes. The children have already been whisked away to the area with the Christmas tree, where a man in a teddy bear suit has begun some sort of game. Karen is already drinking a chardonnay. “Our favorite others!” Karen says, standing. She hugs Lorraine and then whispers, “Jim’s parents are also coming. We just found out.” 2 “Nothing wrong with that. They wanted to see the grandkids anyways,” Jim says. “Sloan.” He reaches out a hand. Jim is broad and very tall, with a Marine haircut. He has that brassy voice that often goes hoarse from laughter, or shouting at a sports screen. “How are they?” Lorraine asks, politely. She has already, Sloan notices, become quiet, mellowed after being so chatty in the car. The Braddocks have always had this effect on her: so much generosity, so much wealth, without seeing much else of their inside lives. Or perhaps it is just Karen, Sloan thinks, who hasn’t worked a day in her life and has nicer skin than anyone in the room. “Tiresome, as usual.” Karen laughs. “It’s almost Christmas so they demand more. Have a seat!” The table is large, with multiple place settings, and a tiered tray in the center for scones and other treats. A waiter comes and takes their tea requests. Sloan is already hungry. “You should get The Heritage to do something about this, Sloan,” Jim says. Jim has gained weight since the spring. It shows in his jaw. “It’d be a nice spread. Everybody l ikes to hear about famous people coming to read s tor ies to k ids a t teat ime . ” “ I t would probably go under Arts and Cul ture , ” S loan says . “ I ’ve thought about it.” “What’s been holding you back?” Karen, sitting next to Lorraine, leans over the little forest of china.
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