A Rhinestone Button by Gail Anderson-Dargatz

A Rhinestone Button

Gail Anderson-Dargatz

Job is a bit of a loser-obedient all his life to his family, to his religion, to other people's expectations. He wanders through the story, controlled by other people, but believing he's special because he sees sounds as colours. In creasingly frustrated with his life, his only real problem is that he needs to get laid.

Extract
Job watched the van drive away, pulling a cloud of dust behind it. Held up a hand as Ben waved to him from the stoop of the house before going inside. He wondered again why he was carrying a duck, realising with a sting of embarressment that he'd held it throughout the interview, though now he couldn't recall what he'd said.The television crew and the interview-they seemed unlikely. As unlikely as a crop circle forming in his field in answer to a prayer. As unlikely as a dead duck dropping from the sky onto his head. As unlikely as seeing Will kiss another man on the lips.
Parallels
  • Big Stone Gap by Adriani Trigiani
  • The Shipping News by E Annie Proulx