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

I'm Cressid Elyshan, the deputy fiction editor at The New Yorker.

On this episode of The Author's Voice, we'll hear Kevin Canty read his story, God's Work,

from the April 4, 2016 issue of the magazine.

Canty is the author of three short story collections and four novels,

including A Stranger in the World, Where the Money Went, Winslow in Love, and, most recently, Everything.

He published his first story in the magazine in 1997.

Now, here's Kevin Cante.

God's work.

Sander loves his mother.

He walks a few steps after her,

wearing a new black suit that has room for him to grow into, carrying a big black valise of pamphlets.

When his mother goes to the front door, rings the bell, waits for an answer,

Sanders stands behind her, looking over her shoulder, with an expression on his face that

he means to be pleasant.

It's the second day of his summer vacation,

but it still feels like spring.

Lilacs bloom in every yard.

Irises wag their pink and purple tongues at him.

His mother is plain.

She wears a gray sweater, despite the sun,

and a black skirt that reaches nearly to her

...