—DON’T GO CHASING WATERFALLS

 

 

Ruby

 

At recess, they find a doll beyond the monkey bars—its plastic skin and eyes so alien and offensive that they take turns dismembering it, tittering and squealing as they do. One boy wants to build a fire but doesn’t know how. Another cocks his thumb and forefinger, shooting at the head and dislodged eyes with the same intense sincerity he’s seen his father fake-shoot certain men on TV. Another says, We can bury it alive, which they all agree is the best idea, as they hurry to snap the pieces back in place before digging a trough and jumping on the mound. Walking back to class, the only one who notices the soil spread with blood is the lone child whose favorite color is ruby.