A.J. Norton

Joe is an ordinary man, trying to hold onto some joy in a world that is coming apart. As a child, he learns the meaning of loss. Rather than accepting it, he learns to protect his memories; even at the expense of the life he is living. The rich language and emotionally evocative imagery draws the reader into the story; and paints a stark picture of a man willing to sacrifice his future to hold onto his past. Set between the modern downtown slums of Vancouver, and the idyllic childhood world of his memory, this short story weaves together elements of time and space to create a bitter-sweet sense of movement.