In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:

43 OUTGOING Our answering machine still played your message, and on the day you died Dad asked me to replace it. I was chosen to save us the shame of dead you answering calls. Hello, I have just shot myself. To leave a message for me, call hell. The clear cassette lay inside the white machine like a tiny patient being monitored or a miniature glass briefcase protecting the scroll of lost voices. Everything barely mattered and then no longer did. I pressed record and laid my voice over yours, muting it forever and even now. I’m sorry we are not here, I began. ...

Share