First, Body | First, Body

At a glance:

Author: Melanie Rae Thon
First Published: 1995
Type of Plot: Psychological
Time of Work: The 1990's
Setting: Seattle, Washington
Principal Characters: Sid Elliott, Roxanne, Gloria Luby
Genres: Short fiction
Subjects: North America or North Americans, United States or Americans, Homelessness or homeless people, Twentieth century, Prostitution or prostitutes, Alcoholism or alcoholics, Vietnam War, War, Single parents or single-parent families, Accidents, Death or dying, Veterans, Drug addiction or addicts, Disabilities or physically challenged persons, 1990’s, Hospitals, Obesity, Washington
Locales: Seattle, WA

The Story

“First, Body” portrays people for whom the American Dream is merely a phrase. The events are seen through the eyes of Sid Elliott, who, although struggling to find his own way, still reaches out to others.

In a city park, Sid, an emergency-room attendant of eight months, encounters Roxanne, a forty-nine-year-old woman who has stopped using heroin but still abuses alcohol. Sid no longer drinks but smokes marijuana. Roxanne goes with him to his home, a one-room loft in a warehouse, where she remains a number of months.

First, Body | First, Body

At a glance:

The Story

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