This is The Writer's Voice, new fiction from The New Yorker.

I'm Deborah Trisman, Fiction Editor at The New Yorker.

On this episode of The Writer's Voice, we'll hear Brian Washington read his story, Voyagers,

from the September 15th, 2025 issue of the magazine.

A winner of the International Dylan Thomas Prize and the Young Lions Fiction Award, among others,

Washington is the author of three books of fiction, including Memorial and Family Meal.

A new novel, Palabur, will be published later this year.

Now here's Brian Washington.

Voyagers.

They drove two hours before the third stop.

Ronnie had warned her about this, but Ronnie talked a lot of shit. They drove two hours before the third stop.

Ronnie had warned her about this, but Ronnie talked a lot of shit.

They'd paused an hour earlier, just outside Beltway 8, and then again in Katie.

But now, 90 minutes from San Antonio, his foot tapping turned to pressing, then a solid series of stumps while

he grasped at his seatbelt.

"'Nigger,' Callie said.

"'Told you,' Ronnie said.

Tiny bladder.

"'You're a grown man.

And ADHD, girl.

Let's at least make it past the city, Callie said. I'm not stopping in

Currville, Ronnie said. No, ma'am. Still time to catch a flight instead, Kelly said. Five minutes,

...