Peter Orner

Peter Orner has a vivid new story, "Foley's Pond", in the latest Paris Review.

"Look, it’s not like it’s your fault," Stu said. "I mean how could you have known she knew how to slide under the fence?"
Nate looked up from his shoes.
"I taught her."
What could anybody say to that? Stu took a stab. He’d always been decent like that.
"Well, it’s not like you told her to do it when you weren’t looking."
"I didn’t?"
Stu didn’t say anything after that. Nobody else did, either.

Orner hits you with tragedy right away, then describes its sad aftermath. Unfortunately, there's only an excerpt available at that link, but if you're not inclined to buy your own copy, the story is only a few pages long and makes for a quick but very worthwhile read at your local newsstand. (Which is what I did, yesterday afternoon.) Orner has quickly become a favorite of mine - earlier this year I greatly enjoyed his debut collection, Esther Stories, particularly the novella Fall River Marriage. His latest, Love and Shame and Love, is near the top of my to-read list. And, even more significantly, on my very exclusive to-buy list.