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Voice Lessons

By Kate Christensen.
Jessica received voice lessons as a birthday gift from her son. According to his ad, the instructor studied at Julliard. Turns out that wasn't the only credential he lacked.

Part One

For my forty-fourth birthday, my son gave me twelve voice lessons. Where he got the money, I couldn't imagine at first, since Jake was a fifteen-year-old with minimal moneymaking possibilities, but then it turned out he had sold the stamp...   Read More >>

Part Two

The following Saturday at three, when I arrived, Leonid let me in; the kitchen was empty, and nothing was on the stove. I didn't ask where his mother was; my relief at finding her gone was something I tried to...   Read More >>

Part Three

At work the following week, I got more done than I had in a while. After what seemed like years of being sluggish and bleak and dull, all of a sudden I felt light and manic and clear-headed. I was...   Read More >>

Part Four

Confused, I ran my fingers back and forth. Where balls should have been, there was nothing but a smooth firm absence. I felt the bare patch again with the backs of my knuckles, pressed on it. I looked dumbly up...   Read More >>

Part Five

I went into my bedroom and sat down at my computer and googled "castrati." Within five minutes, I'd learned from several seemingly reputable web sites that according to historical record, castrati were able to have erections and ejaculate. A lot...   Read More >>