This story was originally published in Day One, a weekly literary journal dedicated to short fiction and poetry from emerging writers.
It’s too hot to sit, too hot to move. And Aaron has nothing to do but watch ants march by and keep out of everyone’s way.
The only possible relief is down in the cool, muddy creek, just a short bike ride from his house. But his older brother has stolen his bike—and so Aaron decides to keep up family tradition and steal his cousin’s bike in turn. Reaching the creek and feeling the water on his skin, Aaron knows the theft was worth the risk. Yet soon he finds he’s not the only one there—a white boy with mean eyes and a rifle has shown up too. Their interaction rattles Aaron, and when he finally emerges he discovers that his cousin’s bike is now gone. As Aaron begins the long walk home, his thoughts jump from his grandma’s anger to his place in the world to the desire to just keep on walking.
