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 Matthew Clam read his story, The Liver,

from the March 16th 2020 issue of the magazine.

Clam is the author of the collection Sam the Cat and other stories,

and the novel, Who is Rich, which was published in 2017.

Now here's Matthew Clam.

The Liver.

In the morning, the blinds let in light.

I lay on a recliner against the wall, with my coat wrapped around my head, and heard the nurse

pump the blood pressure thing.

I'd set up a barrier, a towel hanging over the back of a chair, for privacy.

I'd been reclining here, listening to ice blow against the window since about four.

Kathy sat up in bed, looking pale, with blue lips and a puffy face.

She was still on morphine and seemed serene and angelic.

Another nurse walked in, pushing a cart,

and wanted to know if she'd felt milk coming out.

Kathy stiffly undid her robe,

and both her hands trembled,

and I saw the funny, webbed bandage across her belly.

It was sort of threatening and serious and a little sickening,

but I was so happy I didn't care.

...