“The physical activity of writing was nothing to him. When it came to pensive reflections of man and his existential condition (as mirrored in the experiences of Robert P.), foreign film reviews that were allowed to make as little sense as the films themselves, extended discussions of how the pert French breasts in those films …
Well, If You Want to Get Technical . . .
“Robert P. Warner II had been the kind of boy in high school who managed his injuries as a mother hen hovers over her chicks. He was a master of communicating physical distress to others, but the nature of the injury and the nature of the distress he would subsequently manifest were not really in …
Out of the Depths
“The sofa was of the old gray mare swayback school of design, and from somewhere within the cushions, de profundis, came a groan from Robert P.” (Evangellyfish, p. 120).
The Scoreboard Frozen
“The more Chad exhibited control of his grades, ambitions, hair, junior high Day-timer, briefcase, and other sundry accomplishments, the more his father withheld approval. This battle between them was actually a battle for fundamental control of their relationship, and a year after Chad graduated from college, his father triumphed in their running battle by dying …
Even Creeps
“But even creeps have hopes, dreams, aspirations. Even creeps have a story and perhaps a brief moment in their toddler years when they were cute” (Evangellyfish, p. 111).
An Important Art Form Actually
“He stood there, looking as solemn as a judge, for which the girls were thoroughly grateful. He attended a small charismatic church in the area, and for him, dealing with overshare was a way of life, an art form” (Evangellyfish, p. 109).
Checkmate
“Still, she was a devoted mother, which meant that the girls were simultaneously appreciative and at their wit’s end” (Evangellyfish, p. 105).
With the Bark Still In
“They were within walking distance of a number of upscale eateries and had no trouble picking out a little bistro with espresso and ferns, the kind of place that served exotic little art sandwiches with bark still in the bread” (Evangellyfish, pp. 104-105).
Which More Than a Few Have Done
“She had lost her faith while still managing to hang on to all the platitudes” (Evangellyfish, p. 104).
One Point of Difference
“Johnny’s eyes were round, like a couple of trash can lids, only a different color” (Evangellyfish, p. 100).