American Chordata: Magazine of New Writing Issue One, Spring 2015 | Page 28

10 • FI CTION

you ever wondered how astronauts have sex?”
“That’s what I would do if I were in outer space. I would have
sex with you.”
He turns serious. “Are you sad about your books? You should
have books, if you want books. You shouldn’t change for me.”
I answer with a kiss. “Are you sad you missed the boat on your
boat party?”
“No, because I found a ladder.”
I kiss his neck next. “Do you want to know how astronauts have
sex?”
I pull the blanket tightly over us, to keep us strapped together.
I press myself as closely to him as possible. “Don’t let go or I’ll float
away.”
We have sex until we are weightless, two small bodies locked
together inside a vast galaxy. We flail against gravity, but we hang
on to each other. Above us, six green planets sway in their glass
orbs. A gentle susurration rises from the corner, and a shower of
plaster falls onto the ground like bits of star and moon dust.

It turns out a ladder is exactly what our home needs. Although
standing the ladder up can take quite a bit of space, this is well
worth having another level. I sew a small red cushion and strap it
to the top step. Now we have a single-occupancy loft. This is perfect for getting away from each other. It is a simple way of telling
the other person you need to be alone without having to verbalize
it. The high altitude also offers a peaceful location for clearing your
head and seeing things from a different perspective.
Plus, when we are done with it, we can easily fold the ladder
up and tuck it away. In its sedentary state, the ladder makes a convenient place for laying wet clothes out to dry.
I am slowly filling up the bookshelves with books. At the library,
they sell old books from fifty cents to two dollars. Some people also
bring in books to donate, and those books are free. I go to the library
to work on job applications, and each time I submit an application,
I select one book to purchase or take. My favorite picks so far have
been Recipes to Feed Your Growing Family, Washington Trees and