Aerate

<p>The tales in <em>Aerate</em> arise in unique and curious settings: open fields and pastures a house full of feathers and a house full of cheese the fruit aisle the ghost of a hardware store an airplane a strip club a hot tub and a forest full of fog. Food p­ays a subtle yet pivotal role: apricot pits provide the promise of reunion dairy delivers a dignified end cupcakes are a coping mechanism a sizzling ham breakfast is used to smother adding marshmallows to coffee is a tender quirk that leads to love bread making is the building of a life together and identical habits around green drinks be it mojitos or smoothies are a reminder of familial ties that cannot be ignored.</p><p><em>Aerate</em> is a compilation of 18 stories about relationships: queer parent and child sibling friendship new love and long-term marriage. <em>Aerate </em>ponders the connection we carry with those who have passed on and the bewildering ways in which an experience with a stranger can transform our lives. These stories explore mental health reincarnation codependency pain joy gender sexuality survival forgiveness loneliness magic love death and liberation.</p>