Of course we drank too much during the crisis. The country was in shreds, tearing itself apart at the seams. Clubs, machetes, widespread rioting, then rumors of a civil war.

The way we react to mega-yachts and Mar-a-Lago polarizes Americans as much as the way we feel about race or assault rifles and the NRA.

“You should leave that behind,” I said to Nina, pointing to the blanket she was tying on to her backpack, already crammed full of clothes.

I want to know how things will end. I’ve heard of the beginning, how grains of pollen fell from the poplars. Then a little choral music, cavalry, bright skirmish on the hillside.

My mama and her cousins ride bikes to the Caspian in their bikinis. The oil is good, the rial strong. When bearded men yell at the girls, they just laugh.

Maybe this guy had not gotten over the death of his wife enough to risk feelings for me, although originally, he called me.