Why I’m Not a Fan of Father’s Day

Some thoughts on monsters, child abuse, and why some of us are best advised to steer clear of social media at certain times of the year.

A Hummel figure of St. George on horseback fighting a dragon sits on a shelf, partially obscuring an old family photograph showing a father and son. A Japanese daruma doll sits above and behind with one eye filled in. In the foreground is the blurry spine of a book, with only the words “Terrorist Will” visible. — I often see myself as the dragon in this tableau. And like the daruma, I often sleep with one eye open. (Photo by William Shunn.)

A week ago Monday, I had a fit. Not an epileptic fit. A sobbing fit that went from subdued to hysterical in a matter of minutes. It curled me into a fetal ball, wrung screams of…

More from William Shunn

Writer, poet and puzzle maker. Hugo and Nebula Award finalist. Author of The Accidental Terrorist: Confessions of a Reluctant Missionary. He/him/Bill.

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