“They were as light and fluffy as the small white clouds that floated across an otherwise spotless blue sky, of which Raffie and Kip had an unobstructed view from the balcony where they feasted on the fried scallops, clams, shrimp, calamari, and other seafood on the frittura platter. Raffie’s father and his new wife were treating them to the first-class Pensione del mare’s lunch while the parents went out on a tour of the islands. Raffie and Kip, who were living cheaply in a house without window glass in Positano, relaxed and enjoyed the hotel’s luxury. Earlier, they’d spent some time on the parents’ bed, having fabulous sex, as always. That was what kept them together, in Raffie’s view, although Kip had asked her to marry him and was still waiting for an answer. He thought he’d heard “Yes!” but that was at the acme of Raffie’s orgasm so she didn’t count it. He did, however. He was one to hold her to promises of any kind. He also held grudges, small and large, but was himself free of guilt….”
—Judith Goode, “Frittura,” Eckleburg No. 22
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Judith Goode was awarded a full fellowship to the Iowa Writers Workshop. Her short stories have been published in numerous literary magazines, such as Calliope and The Forge. She was born and raised in New York City, and lives in Saugerties NY. Her short story “Frittura,” originally published in Menacing Hedge is the Eckleburg No. 22 Gertrude Stein Award First Place winner.
Rae Cline previously published as Rae Bryant.