Episode 208: Words of Understanding

A man with two missing fingers walks into The Brew and orders a cup. Terrastina cannot look away from the man’s hand as she pours the coffee. Last year, says the man. I’m sorry? says Terrastina. You were looking at my missing fingers, says the man. I lost them last year in the woods. Chainsaw accident. Terrastina’s face flushes. I’m sorry, she says, I didn’t mean to stare. Don’t worry about it, says the man. Before my accident I stared at amputees all the time. Tried not to, but there’s something about it that makes you want to look.