Monthly Archives: June 2016

I love the comic book world of the X-Men, with its action, pathos, heterogeneity, and metaphors for race wars. I’ve also loved some of the movies; in Film Debate, I believe I was the lone voice calling for an X-Men film (X2) to be included among the three best comic-book films of all time. But…the overriding mutant ability on display in X-Men: Apocalypse is the ability of a franchise to jump a shark. It’s a lamentable misfire for Bryan Singer, the […]

Previous entry 28 THIS IS FOR MY SISTER   Here’s how Hayley described it to me later: everyone at the entire graduation ceremony, all the graduates and guests, stood up and watched as me and Kamran tussled on the roof. Some people screamed. Supposedly, Veronica had been nervously watching her brother, but right then, she took advantage of the pandemonium to try to slink out of there. But Hayley said she stopped her with a “where do you think you’re […]

Previous entry 25 YOU HAPPY, EVERYBODY?   On the bus ride home, I talked to Mom for a couple of minutes. Father O’Brien had already driven her home. Thank God. I had texts from Hayley, Susie, and Leslie…but not Veronica. Wait, was that normal? Yeah, I guess, though I had thought it was because she had better senior friends. A dark thought crossed my mind. What if Hayley, Susie, or Leslie was in league with her? Hmmm. I would have […]

Previous entry 22 CONTORTION AND EXTORTION   The weather outside was kinda hot, so Mr. Studie had the lights off in his room. The place was still plenty lit by sun reflection, just more blue-gray in tone. Anton and Mr. Studie were the only people in his room. As I walked in, Anton almost leapt to his feet. “I…I knew you’d come.” Not having to force my dryness, I said, “Is that why you’re so excited?” In my head, anyway, […]