2 Collections – Lauren Groff

On the other hand, it was the most beautiful kiss Nic had ever had in her life. And it awoke that old sleeping beast in you, Birdie said quietly. It did, Nic said. And then I essentially moved into their guest room. The next two months, with both of them, and the boy to sweeten the whole day, were the very happiest of my life. I think if there is such a thing as heaven, I would be returned to those months in an endless loop.

Waiting at night in that bed, trembling when there was a step on the staircase, not knowing who the step belonged to, breathless to see, wanting both of them at the same time, always feeling inordinately confused and yet constantly in a kind of rush of wind. But then the time ran out, and I said goodbye and went off to school. And it was a sudden dislocation from my entire previous life, and the town and my friends, and these people I loved so much were just some kind of dream.

I didn’t mourn for any of it, because you can’t mourn for a dream. But I did find out that they separated later. That’s the worst thing I did, driving those good parents away from their little boy. They thought in silence for a while, and then Birdie slowly said, It’s funny.

Now I think you wouldn’t have been able to see us that summer even if we’d wanted you to. I think I knew all about what was going on, deep down, and that it drove me a little crazy. I know you know that it came from me, the ostracizing. Not Melodie or Sammie. It was me. I was murderous with jealousy, I think. I know, Nic said. Of that couple, though. For having you, Birdie said. I know, Nic said. What I think I’m trying to say is that I’m sorry for what I did to you.

I’m sorry I wrote that letter to your parents in middle school and that your dad. Well, I’m sorry that he hurt you. I’m sorry we couldn’t be friends the same way, not even in high school. I’m sorry I killed that beautiful thing in you for so long.

Birdie was crying, but Nic laughed and said, Oh, Bird, it’s OK. I was a drippy little hanger-on back then.

Author’s note and compilation copyright © 2026 by Lauren Groff Penguin Random House values and supports copyright. Copyright fuels creativity, encourages diverse voices, promotes free speech, and creates a vibrant culture. Thank you for buying an authorized edition of this book and for complying with copyright laws by not reproducing, scanning, or distributing any part of it in any form without permission. You are supporting writers and allowing Penguin Random House to continue to publish books for every reader.

Please note that no part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner for the purpose of training artificial intelligence technologies or systems. Riverhead and the R colophon are registered trademarks of Penguin Random House LLC. The following stories first published in The New Yorker: “The Wind” (2021); “Between the Shadow and the Soul” (2024); “To Sunland” (2022); “Brawler” (2019); “What’s the Time, Mr. Wolf?”

(2021); “Under the Wave” (2018); and “Annunciation” (2022). “Birdie” first published in The Atlantic (2020) and “Such Small Islands” first published in Small Odysseys (Algonquin, 2022). Cover design: Jaya Miceli Cover art: Detail of Sophia, 2009 by Vladimir Dunjić Book design by Amanda Dewey, adapted for ebook library of congress cataloging-in-publication data Names: Groff, Lauren author Title: Brawler : stories / Lauren Groff.

Description: New York : Riverhead Books, 2026. Identifiers: LCCN 2025021006 (print) | LCCN 2025021007 (ebook) | ISBN 9780593418420 hardcover | ISBN 9780593418444 ebook Subjects: LCGFT: Short stories Classification: LCC PS3607.R6344 B73 2026 (print) | LCC PS3607.R6344 (ebook) | DDC 813/.6— dc23/eng/20250624 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/​22025021006 LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/​22025021007 International trade paperback edition ISBN 9798217183494 Ebook ISBN 9780593418444 The authorized representative in the EU for product safety and compliance is Penguin Random House Ireland, Morrison Chambers, 32 Nassau Street, Dublin D02 YH68, Ireland, https://eu- contact.penguin.ie.

ep_prh_7.3a_155107029_c0_r0 1kitap1.com/en CONTENTS — Dedication THE WIND BETWEEN THE SHADOW AND THE SOUL TO SUNLAND BRAWLER BIRDIE WHAT’S THE TIME, MR. WOLF? UNDER THE WAVE SUCH SMALL ISLANDS ANNUNCIATION Acknowledgments Author’s Note on the Stories 1kitap1.com/en For Bill Clegg 1kitap1.com/en The Wind Pretend, the mother had said when she crept to her daughter’s room in the night, that tomorrow is just an ordinary day. So the daughter had risen as usual and washed and made toast and warm milk for her brothers, and while they were eating she emptied their schoolbags into the toy chest and filled them with clothes, a toothbrush, one book for comfort.

This is a short excerpt from the opening of “” by Unknown, quoted for review and introduction purposes. All rights belong to the copyright holders.

Book Information

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• File Extension: .pdf
• File Size: 1,891,502 bytes (1.804 MB)
• Title: –
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• ISBN: 9780593418420, 9780593418444, 9798217183494
• Pages: 176
• Language: English (en)

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• Total Words: 63,934
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