You can read a revised and expanded version of "Guessing Game" for free as a welcome gift when you join my mailing list. Excerpts Roland shakes his head, the blindfold pulling in his long hair without in any way slackening. “I’m not sure.” “Guess anyway,” Mike suggests. He shakes his head again, more in confusion than refusal. It’s not a bad confusion, but he’s starting to lose the urge to think.

Excerpt At first, the carving looked like a circle; then Mirin made out the entwining limbs, the heads bowed to meet each other, their features only suggestions. The sculpture of an embrace depicted the action more than the actors. It gave the impression not of stillness, but endurance; the lovers weren’t frozen but had found some eternal refuge.“Thank you.” The wood was so smooth it felt slick in his hands.