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

I'm Deppre Treesman, Fiction Editor at The New Yorker.

On this episode of The Writer's Voice, we'll hear David Rabe read his story, Uncle Jim called,

from the July 8th and 15th, 2019 issue of the magazine. Raib is the author of more than a dozen plays

including sticks and bones hurly burly and visiting Edna. His novels include

recital of the dog and girl by the road at night. Now here's David Rape.

Uncle Jim called.

A week ago Thursday, my Uncle Jim called.

When I picked up the phone and said hello, he said, hello.

The voice was familiar, and yet I didn't recognize it.

Who is this, I said.

Jim, he told me. Uncle Jim.

What? I was very surprised

because I thought Uncle Jim was dead.

Who is this? I wanted to know. I really wanted to know.

I just told you, Jim, I'm here with Hank.

Is your mom home?

No, I said.

I thought Uncle Jim had been dead for years.

Where is she?

Now, the Hank he just referred to

was probably his older brother,

...