Sunday, August 23, 2009

Aftershock by Kelly Easton
A story of survival, grief and loss and recovering memory.

Adam survives an automobile accident that claims the life of both of his parents on a return trip from West Coast activist rally they had attended. There were no witnesses to rescue them on a deserted road and Adam is thrown to the side of the road trying to gain enough strength to get help. Homeless, wounded and with loss of memory and speech he stumbles upon a Wicca gathering in the woods thinking he is seeing angels. One of the members, Stacy, takes him home like a lost puppy to care and nurse him to health. Through flashbacks he remembers his parents but cannot recall phone numbers or names. As he recovers he begins to work in Stacy's restaurant for awhile. Overstaying his welcome he begins his homeless, wandering treak in search self, home and memories while surving being beat up, working among migrants and taking any odd jobs he can get. Unable to speak he finally recalls a number and dials, the voice on the other end recognizes him! He remembers her, an aunt, an autistic cousin, he begins to remember a bookstore--more about his parents and with that he begins his journey home, clue by clue, back to Rhode Island, restoring memories of his peace loving parents---back to their bookstore, his aunt, and his old girlfriend---back home!

"People don't die. That isn't how it happens. They float inside you. Like leaves on water. They drift away sometimes, pulled under by the current, tugged toward the shore. But then they resurface, defining you as much by their absence as they did when they were there. (Aftershock 165)

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