Gorge, a novel in progress by Michael Gullo (2026)
“That was so good, Shawna!”
“Hear that, Kyle? She likes our menu.”
“You’re a miracle worker.”
“A burger patty and some rice. That’s not exactly multiplying fishes.”
“Rice with cabbage – but I never would have cooked it like that. It’s so simple.”
“First time she threw a teaspoon of peppercorns in a wok with oil, I was dumbfounded.”
“It’s the pulled cabbage, really. When you slice it, the peppercorn oil doesn’t sizzle to the rough edges.”
“Note to self, pull the cabbage apart, don’t slice it.”
“The garlic hits it.”
“Slaps, Kyle. It slaps.”
“I’ll leave the writing seminars to you.”
“I’m pretty sure a hamburger patty with a slice of tomato is far from Pulitzer worthy.”
“Not if they ate it here, Shawna. This is badass.”
“Well, come back tomorrow for the Lu Rou.”
“Wait. Tomorrow?”
“Yes, Kyle. I won’t have time for that today. We have to get Maddie to the hospital, and I want to stop at Kent Hall to check on Elizabeth.”
“I thought she got a ride down to the city for Easter.”
“She did, but I want to see if she came back.”
“If the Café’s open, I’m getting a Panini on the Hudson.”
“For now you’re getting plates on the dishwasher while I change clothes.”
“You know, you’re not going to be able to change clothes five times a day if…”
“First, don’t say it, Kyle. Second I’m not changing clothes. I’m putting on socks and shoes.”
“It stopped raining. I’m going to run across the street and get some socks too.”
“Okay, meet us out front in two minutes.”
“I’ll be right out.”
“Can you believe this guy’s still talking?”
-when I went through. I know you’re all a little angry that there was no public message. I was too, but as you can see, now that I’ve had time to calm down a little, I’ve realized that maybe this is the best way. Imagine if they told everyone. It would be like a starter gun going off, and everyone would be out all at once getting all that they can – and doing anything to get enough.-
“This guy’s bipolar or something. You gotta listen to this, Shawna. He’s a living Shlegel.”
“No time now, babe. I’ll be out in a minute.”
-to go the other way. Let’s stick together. Let’s help people. Anyone meeting at the City Hall today, maybe bring a few things that you can spare, or maybe – I don’t know if grocery stores even have anything left, but the Price Chopper in Rouse’s Point didn’t look busy at all when I passed through there just a few hours ago. We cou…-
“Are you ready?”
“Is that a whole new outfit?”
“It’s not all new. I just put on hikers.”
“And those jeans.”
“Well, yeah. Are you ready?”
“I’m already up.”
“Lead the way.”
“You’re acting weird.”
“Just move, Kyle.”
“I’m the one already… Where did you go?”
“I’m right here.”
“What are you doing?”
“I had to get the food for Maddie’s mom.”
“Why’s the garage floor all wet?”
“What? Where? Oh, no! I forgot the ice.”
“Why did you buy ice?”
“That was the first thing to run out during the blackout. Get me that big cooler.”
“This one?”
“Hurry. Oh, that’s not so bad. It’s just dripping.”
“Put it in here.”
“Help me.”
“Get the door button. How much did you get?”
“Ten bags.”
“That’ll hold.”
“That’s bright. Put the cooler over here. You get in back.”
“What? Why?”
“We’re dropping her off first. You can come up front when she gets out.”
“It’s so cramped back here.”
“Without it, we’d be eating into the gas right now.”
“I just filled up. That’s like fifty gallons.”
“Not in an F-250 it’s not. I get more range than you do.”
“Nope.”
“Okay. I exaggerated a little. But if we keep that full tank, and we use it in here, we’ll get thousands of miles out of it.”
“This garage door opener needs batteries.”
“Try the close button.”
“Where’s… Not funny.”
“Wow, she’s ready.”
“Hop in front, Maddie.”
“Kyle, you look like a dog at the Petsmart back there.”
“Don’t get him started.”
“Oh shit! That’s him.”
“Stay down.”
“He drives a Type R?”
“How do you know the Type-R, Kyle?”
“It’s like the classic little drug dealing street racer ride.”
“You’re a man of mystery.”
“He’s gone. Let’s get out of here.”
“Do you think he saw me?”
“Even if he did, you’ll be at the hospital.”
“Now we know how to keep an eye out.”
“He won’t have gas forever.”
“But while he does.”
“I’ve never seen so little traffic on US-Nine before.”
“It’s like Christmas morning and everyone’s home or something.”