Palaver by Bryan Washington Cozy now the town’s deputy sheriff

now the town’s deputy sheriff

But as rot begins to eat away at the house’s walls and Esme’s power grows

Hunted by gangsters and squeezed by the Depression

”—Sangu Mandanna

Palaver by Bryan Washington Cozy now the town’s deputy sheriffIn Tokyo, the son works as an English tutor, drinking his nights away with friends at a gay bar. Hes entangled in a sexual relationship with a married man, and while he has built a chosen family in Japan, he is estranged from his family in Houston, particularly his mother, whose preference for the sons oft troubled homophobic brother, Chris, pushed him to leave home. Then, in the weeks leading up to Christmas, ten years since theyve last seen each