Reporter's Notebook

inothernews:

theamericanprospect:

motherjones:

newtjudgesyou:

“Frankly, WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.”

You’re doing it all wrong, man.

Trying to get the swing vote. 

They came to an intersection.  Crumbling houses at three corners and on the fourth, a playground.  The sand beneath the swingset looked combed and sifted through and free of ash.  The aluminum slide appeared to have survived the blast and subsequent interminable armageddons.  The see-saw remained propped up on its fulcrum.  As if just built yesterday.  Incongruous sight.  He rubbed his eyes and looked again to be sure it was still there.  It was still there.

Do you want to ride?

What?

Do you want to ride.

Is it real?

Yes.

How do you know?

I don’t.  I see what I see.

And you trust your eyes?

He was taken aback.  A child asking adult questions.  Yes I do.

Okay.

Do you want to ride?

I don’t.

Why?

I’m afraid I’ll fall.

You won’t fall.

I’m afraid I will.

He walked up to the swing.

Here.  I’ll go first.

Only if it’s real.

I told you I trust my eyes.  He hopped onto the swing and smiled.  See?

Yes.

Do you want to ride?

No.

It’s fun.

No.

Okay.

You can never unsee this.