Our Captive, Luigi

by Mitch McNair

This was during the unnamed war, which ruined many friendships. We noticed one of theirs across the border after the curfew. He was distracted-looked and disoriented. We found out later he was acting, wanting us to believe he was - in his words - “very retarded.” He taught us how to make an impeccable red wine risotto with peas, and how to laugh at ourselves. We had to kill him - it was wartime - but we did it with kindness.

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Mitch McNair lives in Montreal.