George Saunders – Tenth of december

George Saunders – Tenth of december

“He saw where she was going with this. And she was quite right. No wonder he loved her. He must cut across the pond, thereby decreasing the ambient angle, ergo trimming valuable second off his catch-up time.
Wait, Suzanne said. Is that dangerous?
It is not, he said. I have done it numerous time.
Please be careful, Suzanne implored.
Well, once. He said.
You have such aplomb, Suzanne demurred.
Actually never, he said softly, not wishing to alarm her.
Your bravery is irascible, Suzanne said.
He started across the pond.
It was actually pretty cool walking on water. In summer canoes floated here. If Mom could see him, she’d have a conniption.”