TE23 Double Feature

“The Silver Moth” and “The Island” (two short stories) Anke Laufer Translated from German by Ruth Martin

“The Silver Moth” Step out for a minute, if you wouldn’t mind. Up there, look. There. Do you see the bats flitting through the floodlight? Their bodies, lit up just for a second as they pick the moths out of the sky? This is where the story began, right here. On long journeys, you stop off. You do. In my case, in this exact spot, because that’s just how it is. Because my ex doesn’t want the kids to visit me. Because I live in my van. Because that doesn’t mean I miss the kids any less. Because I pass through here on my way there – I have to pass through here. And sooner or later, I have to stop. Here, usually. You’ll say it’s a very ordinary service station. But take a look at this view. The wolves’ woods out there. Deep and dark, all the way 181

Anke Laufer