Q&A - Francis Garrett

A new short story from the mind of author Garrett Francis.

"Kisses conquer all." That's what five-year-old Addison was told by her mother following her grandfather's death. In the years that follow, Addison holds those words close, closer than her mother-or her father, or her brother-may have ever thought possible. And the consequences for them all might just be too much to bear.

"Q'A" is an experimental short story (written entirely in Q'A format) that brings into focus the power just a few words can have-on a child, on a family, and on a community.

If you enjoy short stories from any of the following authors, "Q'A" might just resonate with you: Caitlin Horrocks, Adam Johnson, Alice Walker, Raymond Carver, Colum McCann, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Jim Harrison, Karen Russell.

"Q'A" is a story from Strays Like Us, a collection of ten standalone short stories exploring what it means to grow up in America.