Gordon Laws

Hush, My Daddy

The man settles into his place at the table with his plate full of curry chicken atop rice. Grant is five, and he is on his knees on his chair. Rice is already scattered around his plate, and he has knocked the green beans off. Lucia is sitting on a chair next to him. SheContinue reading “Hush, My Daddy”

A Lot of Time to Think

The man shows up to the Massachusetts Treatment Center in a white shirt and tie. “Treatment Center” is a misnomer in most people’s minds–this is a medium security prison for sex offenders. The man is here because a stake president from the North Shore has told him of a resident named TG who grew upContinue reading “A Lot of Time to Think”

Catch of the Day

Uncle Max, Uncle Ned, and the young man’s father have driven the group of cousins north to Cold Springs Trout Farm in Ogden. Whenever they visit Utah, Uncle Max brings them on this trip Cold Springs has seven ponds stocked full of trout. Bait your hook with some salmon eggs, and you will catch yourContinue reading “Catch of the Day”

Real Gangstas Don’t Sleep

He approaches the man at the white picket fence. The man holds a garden hose and is watering his tiny cut of lawn in Hacienda Heights. “Edgar?” “That’s me. You two are new.” “I’m Elder Laws. This is Elder Smith.” “Ohh. You guys are the zone leaders the other two were talking about.” “We missedContinue reading “Real Gangstas Don’t Sleep”

It’s Okay If You Go Home Now

Stephen is standing in the young man’s doorway. “Gordon, I think you should come see what’s up with Blackie.” “What do you mean?” “He’s on the armchair in my room and he won’t move.” “Just chase him off if you want him to move.” “No, I mean, he will not move. Just come see.” TheContinue reading “It’s Okay If You Go Home Now”

Is This a Perfect Day for Bananafish?

This is Lindsay Laws, Gordon’s daughter. He wrote this story because of a real conversation that we had when I was twelve (I’m now fifteen) and was struggling with anxiety and suicidal thoughts. I don’t usually like to think about this time in my life, because it was miserable and the worst point of myContinue reading “Is This a Perfect Day for Bananafish?”

Maximum John

The boy is dressed in a suit and is sitting in the passenger seat of Dad’s gray Chevy Citation. They are heading to the north side of San Antonio for the award hearing in a lawsuit against the government. His parents have let the boy out of school for a half day to accompany Dad.Continue reading “Maximum John”

Real Gangstas Don’t Flex Nuts

They are jv district champions, having curb-stomped Victoria 35-14 in the final game of the regular season. The young man played tight end in their wing T offense and safety in their 4-4 defense. He had a dozen tackles, a game full of blocking, and a punt return for a touchdown. To celebrate, Terry, Ted,Continue reading “Real Gangstas Don’t Flex Nuts”

Ain’t No One to Give You No Pain

They have been on the road for probably seven hours and spent another hour and a half at stops for lunch, the bathroom, and changing drivers. It’s dark now, and they are northwest of Albuquerque. They started from their home in Corpus Christi two days ago, and they plan to stay in Utah for aContinue reading “Ain’t No One to Give You No Pain”

The Last Room in Town

When Lauren worked for BYU’s records office, she made fifteen thousand per year . . . after her first raise. The man worked two jobs in the summer and one job during the fall and winter semesters. They lived in married-student housing, and they scrimped by, saving about fifteen hundred dollars over a year andContinue reading “The Last Room in Town”