Sublime

the first story that, as he later put it, “rang his cherries” was Donald Barthelme’s “The Balloon.”

surreptitiously

Father had given them an odd look, as if he had come upon Frederick borrowing something of his without permission.

An interesting innovation, peaches and oranges. My teeth tore them to pulp, the juices skewering and whimpering at the bottom of my stomach. It was so sad down there in my stomach. There was much weeping, and little gloomy clouds of gas pinched my heart.

It was so very typical of his uncle to put his hopes in the establishment, even within this world that he despised and mistrusted.

The kids, to be frank, were absolutely no help at all, and I truly don’t think I’d ever have it any other way.

But that is not a man, that’s a mushroom!”

As they approached the factory, the air increasingly smelled of sugar, and the scent made Sadie nostalgic for a candy she had never even tasted.