Falling Room (American Lives)

191 Pages·2006·0.68 MB·English

by  Eli Hastings

f a l l i n g r o o m
American Lives Series editor: Tobias Wolff
Falling Room
Eli Hastings
University of Nebraska Press Lincoln and London
© 2006 by N. Eli Hastings. All rights reserved.
Manufactured in the United States of America
Book designed and typeset by R. Eckersley in
Bram de Does’s Enschedé Trinité fonts.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Hastings, Eli, 1977–
Falling Room / Eli Hastings
p. cm. – (American lives)
isbn-13: 978-0-8032-7364-1 (pbk.: alkaline paper)
isbn-10: 0-8032-7364-9 (pbk.: alkaline paper)
1. Hastings, Eli, 1977– 2. Seattle (Washington) –
Biography. 3. Young adults – Washington
(State) – Biography. 4. Americans – Nicaragua –
Biography. 5. Americans – Panama – Biogra-
phy. 6. Americans – Cuba – Biography.
7. Drug dealers – Washington (State) – Biogra-
phy. 8. Nicaragua – Description and travel.
9. Panama – Description and travel. 10. Cuba –
Description and travel. i. Title. ii. Series.
ct275.h28725a3 2006 979.7'772043092–dc22
2006000846
Para Papa—que descanses en paz.
Contents
Acknowledgments ix
Burlington Northern 1
Gettin’ Up 7
Mulching 18
Moonfaced Man 23
The Professor 30
Intersection 34
Falling Room 39
Wake 48
Grant County Jail 68
Good, Alright, Fine 86
In the Mouth of the Bull 102
Sky 117
Coming Away 125
Dispatches from a Prohibited World 131
Out in Front 152
My Father’s House 160
Over the Pass 164
viii
Acknowledgments
It would be impossible here to thank everyone who supported me,
inspired me, listened to me, or drank with me. The following is in-
tended as a special thanks to those people who toiled directly with
these pages.
Sarah Messer, who can only be called the quarterback and coach
—this wouldn’t even have begun without her. Philip Gerard for
his red ink, his faith, and his unflagging encouragement. David
Gessner for his wild Thoreauvian second winds in the stuffy acad-
emy—and for giving me my one awp schmooze that paid off so
much. Jessica Smith for everything—for being the best editor and
the best friend I had in North Carolina. Sebastian Matthews for
all his favors and for jumpstarting me—from the bars and coffee-
houses of Claremont clear through Dixie—and for understand-
ing the void a father leaves. Brad Land for his example—not just of
success but also of grace and generosity. Ladette Randolph for her
taste, her kindness, and her faith in the essay. Anne Depue for the
eleventh-hour aid. Stephen Barnett for his sharp eye.
Loads of thanks to Kimi Faxon (rock star), (Daddy) Daren Dean,
Trav, Jeff, and KC (the fabulous brothers), Tom Kunz (the sloshy
lover), Marc Johnston (and The Shnake), Kim “so serious” Shable,
Andrea Quarraccino (moving and shaking), Dave Smith Winery,
Douglas “pretty boy” Cutting, and Isaac “strawberry” Lane.
Lastly, the late Tom Hastings and my Jersey Girl, who were both
full of too much love for this world.
R.I.P. (Finally)
The author gratefully acknowledge the editors of the following
publications in which portions of this book first appeared: The Ped-
estal Magazine The Political Anthology (2004) for “Coming Away”;
Alligator Juniper (2005) for “Falling Room”; Cimarron Review 145 (Fall
ix