万法生起

feels privileged to be his confidant. They talk about their children, their parents, “how deeply upset people were these days,” the mess in the Middle East. Tucked between parentheses is the exception: “(They did not talk about the upcoming election in their own coun- try.)” It later emerges that Ken may be a supporter of the unnamed Trump, but Artie doesn’t let that trouble him. The easy connection between the two men— Ken reaches out, touches Artie’s hand, and even says, though self-consciously, “Thank you for sharing”—is just a little mawkish. Not even if is a wildfire in close enough range. Not even the present is within breath. …