Red Hair Research Articles

Bug Sandwich by Brady Smith (review)

Reviewed by: Bug Sandwich by Brady Smith Kate Quealy-Gainer, Editor Smith, Brady Bug Sandwich; written and illus. by Brady Smith. Paulsen/Penguin, 2023 [32p] Trade ed. ISBN 9780593461747 $19.99 E-book ed. ISBN 9780593461754 $10.99 Reviewed from digital galleys R 4-7 yrs Our bug-bitten protagonist is furiously annoyed with the creepy-crawlies that inexplicably target him, leaving him with ouches and itches, so now he's ready to bite back, quite literally. Intent on making a bug sandwich, the boy grabs a jar and starts collecting the offenders, and despite being impressed by the ants' strength, the spider's weaving abilities, and the bees' hive building skills, he still fills his jar with the insect ingredients. After slopping on condiments, he's about to have his revenge until the bugs speak up, pointing out that humans are also not particularly great at a peaceful coexistence: "What about you? You swat us! And slap us! And even squish us! And ya know we're just doing our jobs!" It's a solid argument that persuades the boy, who then sets down the sandwich and heads off to take a bath—the bugs are not quite safe yet, however, as another hungry household member is looking for a snack. The digital illustrations are classically cartoony, with the expressive wide-eyed protagonist sporting a mop of red hair atop an oversized head, and the vivid palette hedges—appropriately so—toward garishness. The bugs themselves really sell the show, though, donning the occasional top hat or bandana and with prominent stingers or mandibles rendered goofily harmless with bright, geometric patterns. Kids who've wondered why they seem to be particularly tasty to biting bugs won't find answers here, but it's still a gleeful tale of almost vengeance that ends on a note of understanding the natural world. Copyright © 2023 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois

Beards and Texts. Images of Masculinity in Medieval German Literature

Beards and Texts. Images of Masculinity in Medieval German Literature

The MC1R r allele does not increase melanoma risk in MITF E318K carriers.

Population-wide screening for melanoma is not cost-effective, but genetic characterization could facilitate risk stratification and targeted screening. Common Melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) red hair colour (RHC) variants and Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) E318K separately confer moderate melanoma susceptibility, but their interactive effects are relatively unexplored. To evaluate whether MC1R genotypes differentially affect melanoma risk in MITF E318K+ vs. E318K- individuals. Melanoma status (affected or unaffected) and genotype data (MC1R and MITF E318K) were collated from research cohorts (five Australian and two European). In addition, RHC genotypes from E318K+ individuals with and without melanoma were extracted from databases (The Cancer Genome Atlas and Medical Genome Research Bank, respectively). χ2 and logistic regression were used to evaluate RHC allele and genotype frequencies within E318K+/- cohorts depending on melanoma status. Replication analysis was conducted on 200 000 general-population exomes (UK Biobank). The cohort comprised 1165 MITF E318K- and 322 E318K+ individuals. In E318K- cases MC1R R and r alleles increased melanoma risk relative to wild type (wt), P < 0.001 for both. Similarly, each MC1R RHC genotype (R/R, R/r, R/wt, r/r and r/wt) increased melanoma risk relative to wt/wt (P < 0.001 for all). In E318K+ cases, R alleles increased melanoma risk relative to the wt allele [odds ratio (OR) 2.04 (95% confidence interval 1.67-2.49); P = 0.01], while the r allele risk was comparable with the wt allele [OR 0.78 (0.54-1.14) vs. 1.00, respectively]. E318K+ cases with the r/r genotype had a lower but not significant melanoma risk relative to wt/wt [OR 0.52 (0.20-1.38)]. Within the E318K+ cohort, R genotypes (R/R, R/r and R/wt) conferred a significantly higher risk compared with non-R genotypes (r/r, r/wt and wt/wt) (P < 0.001). UK Biobank data supported our findings that r did not increase melanoma risk in E318K+ individuals. RHC alleles/genotypes modify melanoma risk differently in MITF E318K- and E318K+ individuals. Specifically, although all RHC alleles increase risk relative to wt in E318K- individuals, only MC1R R increases melanoma risk in E318K+ individuals. Importantly, in the E318K+ cohort the MC1R r allele risk is comparable with wt. These findings could inform counselling and management for MITF E318K+ individuals.

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LONGTERM FORECAST OF BIOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT OF PHYTOPHAGES ON BLACK CURRANT

The article presents the results of scientific research on the biological development of the large currant aphid, the red currant head aphid and the gooseberry shoot aphid in the currant agrocenosis. Based on the analysis of the multi-year dynamics of the development of phytophages, a phenological calendar was built, which clearly shows the period of manifestation of the greatest harmfulness of these pests, which is indicated in the third decade of April, while according to the phenological phase of development, this is the VI stage of the biological development of currants. Aphids overwinter in the egg stage at the base of the currant bud. The embryonic development of the egg ends at the beginning of the plant's sap flow. The metamorphosis of this species refers to an incomplete transformation, and therefore parthenogenesis was observed during the experiment. At the 4th stage of organogenesis, we observed the emergence of larvae of the founders, light green in color and spiky sucking mouthparts, which after 2-3 days begin active feeding, which was evidenced by damaged leaves that changed their color over time. The color of leaves damaged by redcurrant aphid has a clear transition from light yellow to red with a halo-shaped bulge. In this species, the salivary enzyme enhances the growth and development of cells, while in the gooseberry shoot aphid, on the contrary, cells die and at the same time cause cell death.&#x0D; According to our observations, it has been proven that the development of these phytophages falls on the stage of organogenesis of currant blossoms, and it is strictly forbidden to carry out any plant protection measures during this period. And therefore, we conducted a long-term study of both black currant and sucking phytophages. Such a significant plant-phytophagous combination makes it possible to carry out preventive actions early in the spring on the biological development of sucking phytophages, where in recent years their harmfulness occupies one of the main places, while parthenogenetic females cause significant damage, reducing the yield and quality of berries due to disruption of the normal flow physiological processes of photosynthesis. As a result of nutrition of a parthenogenetic individual, the shoots lag behind in growth, have clearly expressed curvatures of various shapes. It is possible to reduce the colonization of black currant by sucking phytophages by implementing phenological forecasting.

AMPK Phosphorylates ZDHHC13 to Increase MC1R Activity and Suppress Melanomagenesis.

Phosphorylation of ZDHHC13 by AMPK at S208 promotes MC1R activation and suppresses melanocyte transformation, indicating activation of AMPK as a potential approach to prevent melanoma in people with red hair.

Innate immune response of rainbow trout erythrocytes to spinycterins expressing a downsized viral fragment of viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus

Recent studies have reported on the importance of RBCs in fish responses to viral infections and DNA vaccines. Surface-displaying recombinant bacterins (spinycterins) are a safe and adaptable prototype for viral vaccination of fish and represent an alternative method of aquaculture prophylaxis, since have been reported to enhance fish immune response. We evaluated the innate immune response of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) red blood cells (RBCs), head kidney, and spleen to spinycterins expressing a fragment of the glycoprotein G of viral haemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV), one of the most devastating world-wide diseases in farmed salmonids. We first selected an immunorelevant downsized viral fragment of VHSV glycoprotein G (frg16252–450). Then, spinycterins expressing frg16252–450 fused to Nmistic anchor-motif (Nmistic+frg16252–450) were compared to spinycterins expressing frg16252–450 internally without the anchor motif. Nmistic+frg16252–450 spinycterins showed increased attachment to RBCs in vitro and modulated the expression of interferon- and antigen presentation–related genes in RBCs in vitro and in vivo, after intravenous injection. In contrast, the head kidney and spleen of fish injected with frg16252–450, but not Nmistic+frg16252–450, spinycterins demonstrated upregulation of interferon and antigen-presenting genes. Intravenous injection of Nmistic+frg16252–450 spinycterins resulted in a higher innate immune response in RBCs while frg16252–450 spinycterins increased the immune response in head kidney and spleen. Although more studies are required to evaluate the practicality of using spinycterins as fish viral vaccines, these results highlight the important contribution of RBCs to the fish innate immune response to antiviral prophylactics.

Organic Form and Creative Impotence in Golding’s The Spire

WILLIAM GOLDING’S FIFTH NOVEL, The spire, had a mixed reception from reviewers when it was published in 1964. It was slammed by some for its incoherence and its crude symbolism, with one critic characterising it as ‘a slick and lifeless equation of symbols’.1 Perhaps its most august – and most vociferous – critic was George Steiner, who wrote: The allegory creaks with labored clichés. The spire is the mast of a storm-battered ship. It is a phallus. It ends, in the instant of Jocelin’s death, by being the apple tree of man’s knowledge and ‘free fall’. Sexual temptation has red hair. Most of the figures are as graphic and flat as playing cards.2 Book reviews cannot always be relied upon to get the full measure of a new work, and in this case Steiner’s assessment of the novel is surely wrong. But I take issue with one point in particular: the interpretation of the titular spire, at the end of the novel, as an analogue of ‘the apple tree of man’s knowledge’. Were the interpretation correct, the judgement would be hard to dispute; allusions to Eden are, more often than not, hackneyed, and reading the conclusion to The Spire with the tree of knowledge in mind does very little to enrich the experience. It does not help, then, that even the novel’s more sympathetic readers have gone along with Steiner’s interpretation of the protagonist’s final utterance – in which he compares the cathedral spire to an apple tree – as an allusion to the Eden myth. Bernard S. Oldsey and Stanley Weintraub claim it was Golding’s ‘intention to remind us of that most notorious of apple trees’;3 there are ‘echoes of man’s fall in Eden’, Howard Babb argues;4 it suggests ‘the inevitable fall from paradise’, says James Gindin.5 Other critics, while refraining from such explicit reference to Eden, still read the apple-tree image in a moralistic way as an image of compromise between pure intentions and flawed execution, or of the complications which arise in any earthly creation by human hands.6

Aberrant expression of agouti signaling protein (ASIP) as a cause of monogenic severe childhood obesity

Here we report a heterozygous tandem duplication at the ASIP (agouti signaling protein) gene locus causing ubiquitous, ectopic ASIP expression in a female patient with extreme childhood obesity. The mutation places ASIP under control of the ubiquitously active itchy E3 ubiquitin protein ligase promoter, driving the generation of ASIP in patient-derived native and induced pluripotent stem cells for all germ layers and hypothalamic-like neurons. The patient’s phenotype of early-onset obesity, overgrowth, red hair and hyperinsulinemia is concordant with that of mutant mice ubiquitously expressing the homolog nonagouti. ASIP represses melanocyte-stimulating hormone-mediated activation as a melanocortin receptor antagonist, which might affect eating behavior, energy expenditure, adipocyte differentiation and pigmentation, as observed in the index patient. As the type of mutation escapes standard genetic screening algorithms, we rescreened the Leipzig Childhood Obesity cohort of 1,745 patients and identified four additional patients with the identical mutation, ectopic ASIP expression and a similar phenotype. Taken together, our data indicate that ubiquitous ectopic ASIP expression is likely a monogenic cause of human obesity.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in pigmentation‐related dopachrome tautomerase and melanocortin‐1 receptor genes are associated with wet age‐related macular degeneration in a Finnish cohort

AbstractPurpose: Melanin in intracellular organelles, melanosomes, protects the retinal pigment epithelium from ultraviolet radiation and oxidative stress (OS). However, despite the role of OS in the development of age‐related macular degeneration (AMD), the effect of pigmentation‐related genes on the risk of AMD onset is unclear.Methods: Finnish wet AMD patients and control subjects were genotyped for selected pigmentation‐related genes. 26 selected variants for tyrosinase (TYR), tyrosinase‐related protein 1 (TYRP1), dopachrome tautomerase (DCT), melanocortin‐1 receptor (MC1R), microphthalmia‐associated transcription factor (MITF), and orthodenticle homeobox‐2 (OTX2) were analysed using the Sequenom iPlex platform (Sequenom, Hamburg, Germany). Binary logistic regression analyses were performed to find genetic associations.Results: An intronic variant rs1407995 (T &gt; C) of the DCT gene and a two base pair deletion variant rs3212351 (AT &gt; del) in the regulatory region of the MC1R gene were associated with wet AMD in a crude recessive model (OR = 3.250, 95% CI = 1.036–10.195, p = 0.043 and OR = 1.714, 95% CI = 1.004–2.924, p = 0.048, respectively). The age‐ and gender‐adjusted recessive model revealed a stronger association of rs1407995 to AMD (OR = 4.514, 95% CI = 1.300–15.669, p = 0.018), whereas rs3212351 was no longer statistically significant (OR = 1.612, 95% CI = 0.923–2.819, p = 0.093).Conclusions: Several mutations in DCT and MC1R genes are known to associate with the blond or red hair phenotype with increasing ratio of red pro‐oxidant pheomelanin to protective brown eumelanin pigments. Furthermore, MC1R has been linked to the regulation of ocular inflammation, another key event in the pathogenesis of AMD. In conclusion, two polymorphisms in genes regulating melanin production and oxidative balance in pigmented cells were observed in a Finnish cohort evoking interest in their role in AMD onset.

Redheaded women are more sexually active than other women, but it is probably due to their suitors.

Women with red hair color, i.e., 1-9% of female Europeans, tend to be the subject of various stereotypes about their sexually liberated behavior. The aim of the present case-control study was to explore whether a connection between red hair color and sexual behavior really exists using data from 110 women (34% redheaded) and 93 men (22% redheaded). Redheadedness in women, correlated with various traits related to sexual life, namely with higher sexual desire as measured by Revised Sociosexual Orientation Inventory, with higher sexual activity and more sexual partners of the preferred gender over the past year, earlier initiation of sexual life, and higher sexual submissiveness. Structural equation modelling, however, showed that sexual desire of redheaded women mediated neither their higher sexual activity nor their higher number of sexual partners. These results indirectly indicate that the apparently more liberated sexual behavior in redheaded women could be the consequence of potential mates' frequent attempts to have sex with them. Our results contradicted the three other tested models, specifically the models based on the assumption of different physiology, faster life history strategy, and altered self-perception of redheaded women induced by stereotypes about them. Naturally, the present study cannot say anything about the validity of other potential models that were not subjects of testing.

Abstract #1324476: Hidden Adrenal Insufficiency in an Obese Child: A Case Report

POMC mutation leads to a rare disease manifesting typically as obesity, isolated adrenal insufficiency, and red hair. Obesity associated with this mutation often delays the diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency which mostly manifest as weight loss. Delayed diagnosis of underlying adrenal sufficiency in such cases could result in dreaded consequences.

Denisovan and Neanderthal archaic introgression differentially impacted the genetics of complex traits in modern populations

BackgroundIntrogression from extinct Neanderthal and Denisovan human species has been shown to contribute to the genetic pool of modern human populations and their phenotypic spectrum. Evidence of how Neanderthal introgression shaped the genetics of human traits and diseases has been extensively studied in populations of European descent, with signatures of admixture reported for instance in genes associated with pigmentation, immunity, and metabolic traits. However, limited information is currently available about the impact of archaic introgression on other ancestry groups. Additionally, to date, no study has been conducted with respect to the impact of Denisovan introgression on the health and disease of modern populations. Here, we compare the way evolutionary pressures shaped the genetics of complex traits in East Asian and European populations, and provide evidence of the impact of Denisovan introgression on the health of East Asian and Central/South Asian populations.ResultsLeveraging genome-wide association statistics from the Biobank Japan and UK Biobank, we assessed whether Denisovan and Neanderthal introgression together with other evolutionary genomic signatures were enriched for the heritability of physiological and pathological conditions in populations of East Asian and European descent. In EAS, Denisovan-introgressed loci were enriched for coronary artery disease heritability (1.69-fold enrichment, p=0.003). No enrichment for archaic introgression was observed in EUR. We also performed a phenome-wide association study of Denisovan and Neanderthal alleles in six ancestry groups available in the UK Biobank. In EAS, the Denisovan-introgressed SNP rs62391664 in the major histocompatibility complex region was associated with albumin/globulin ratio (beta=−0.17, p=3.57×10−7). Neanderthal-introgressed alleles were associated with psychiatric and cognitive traits in EAS (e.g., “No Bipolar or Depression”-rs79043717 beta=−1.5, p=1.1×10−7), and with blood biomarkers (e.g., alkaline phosphatase-rs11244089 beta=0.1, p=3.69×10−116) and red hair color (rs60733936 beta=−0.86, p=4.49×10−165) in EUR. In the other ancestry groups, Neanderthal alleles were associated with several traits, also including the use of certain medications (e.g., Central/South East Asia: indapamide – rs732632 beta=−2.38, p=5.22×10−7).ConclusionsOur study provides novel evidence regarding the impact of archaic introgression on the genetics of complex traits in worldwide populations, highlighting the specific contribution of Denisovan introgression in EAS populations.

Indications for Digital Monitoring of Patients With Multiple Nevi: Recommendations from the International Dermoscopy Society.

In patients with multiple nevi, sequential imaging using total body skin photography (TBSP) coupled with digital dermoscopy (DD) documentation reduces unnecessary excisions and improves the early detection of melanoma. Correct patient selection is essential for optimizing the efficacy of this diagnostic approach. The purpose of the study was to identify, via expert consensus, the best indications for TBSP and DD follow-up. This study was performed on behalf of the International Dermoscopy Society (IDS). We attained consensus by using an e-Delphi methodology. The panel of participants included international experts in dermoscopy. In each Delphi round, experts were asked to select from a list of indications for TBSP and DD. Expert consensus was attained after 3 rounds of Delphi. Participants considered a total nevus count of 60 or more nevi or the presence of a CDKN2A mutation sufficient to refer the patient for digital monitoring. Patients with more than 40 nevi were only considered an indication in case of personal history of melanoma or red hair and/or a MC1R mutation or history of organ transplantation. Our recommendations support clinicians in choosing appropriate follow-up regimens for patients with multiple nevi and in applying the time-consuming procedure of sequential imaging more efficiently. Further studies and real-life data are needed to confirm the usefulness of this list of indications in clinical practice.

A new species of Geophagus (Teleostei: Cichlidae): Naming a cichlid species widely known in the aquarium hobby as 'Geophagus sp. Tapajos red head'.

A new species of Geophagus sensu stricto is described from the Tapajos River basin, Brazil, elevating the number of species of the genus to 21. The new species is of commercial importance and is known in the aquarist trade as Geophagus 'red head'. The new species is diagnosed using an integrative approach, based on mitochondrial DNA analysis along with morphological evidence. The new species is distinguished from all congeners by the absence of markings on the head, the bar pattern composed by nine vertical bars on the flanks and the presence of distinct longitudinal bands in the caudal fin. Additionally, it shows a genetic distance of at least 2.0% in cytochrome b gene sequences from its closest congeners. Molecular analysis including most genera of Cichlidae from South America corroborates that the new species belongs to the group of Geophagus sensu stricto.

S1766 Metastatic Renal Cell Cancer with Pancreatic Mass

Introduction: Pancreas is an uncommon site of metastatic disease. Almost 63% of pancreatic metastasis arise from renal cell cancer. We report a case of metastatic renal cell cancer to pancreas, with contralateral adrenal metastasis 15 years after a radical nephrectomy. Case Description/Methods: 61 years old man with past medical history of renal cell cancer, status post left radical nephrectomy fifteen years ago, presented with dull pain in right lower abdominal for one day. He denied any other abdominal symptoms or weight loss. He smokes up to half a pack of cigarettes daily. His examination was unremarkable but he was noted to have elevated lipase (213U/L) and a bilirubin of 1.1 mg%. On computer tomography abdomen he had bulky, enhancing, soft tissue mass (∼6.7 cm), with dilated pancreatic duct of 1.5 cm with right adrenal mass (Figure). On EUS, the lesion appeared well circumscribed and previously known pancreatic duct dilation was seen. Fine needle biopsy of the mass, which showed numerous atypical cells with round irregular nuclei with prominent nucleoli with clear cytoplasm suggestive of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (Figure). On immune -histochemistry, the tumor was positive for CD10, renal cell carcinoma antigen and PAX 8( Figure) Discussion: Metachronous renal cell cancer to pancreas fifteen years after radial nephrectomy is rare. Our patient had pancreatic metastasis with adrenal involvement and presented with vague abdominal symptoms. .He was noted to have elevated lipase and dilation of main pancreatic duct. Due to a remote history of nephrectomy and the presenting complaints, pancreatic primary was suspected. However, on endoscopic ultrasound the patient was noted to have a well circumscribed lesion in the head of pancreas with dilated pancreatic duct(Figure). Regular borders and absence of pancreatic duct dilation suggested metastatic disease. Our patient had well circumscribed lesion but with a dilated duct. Most pancreatic metastasis are reported to occur within 10 years after treatment of the primary disease but our patient had metastasis fifteen years later without any loco-regional recurrence. Endoscopic ultrasound is extremely important and allows to evaluate the extent of the disease, involvement of portal vein/ superior mesenteric artery, presence of enlarged lymph nodes, which are a must for evaluating the surgical candidature besides providing tissue diagnosis which helped us establish the diagnosis of metastasis.Figure 1.: CT(A,B,C) and EUS(D,E) findings. Image A shows the mass in the Pancreatic head(arrow with red head) with a dilated pancreatic duct seen in imageB( arrow with red head). Adrenal metastasis is seen in image C marked with a red arrow. On EUS, the mass appears well circumscribed( blue arrow, image D) with dilated pancreatic duct seen ( green arrow) in the head of pancreas in E.

Genetic obesity: an update with emerging therapeutic approaches.

Based on the genetic contribution, childhood obesity can be classified into 3 groups: common polygenic obesity, syndromic obesity, and monogenic obesity. More genetic causes of obesity are being identified along with the advances in the genetic testing. Genetic obesities including syndromic and monogenic obesity should be suspected and evaluated in children with early-onset morbid obesity and hyperphagia under 5 years of age. Patients with syndromic obesity have early-onset severe obesity associated specific genetic syndromes including Prader-Willi syndrome, Bardet-Biedle syndrome, and Alstrom syndrome. Syndromic obesity is often accompanied with neurodevelopmental delay or dysmorphic features. Nonsyndromic monogenic obesity is caused by variants in single gene which are usually involved in the regulation of hunger and satiety associated with the hypothalamic leptin-melanocortin pathway in central nervous system. Unlike syndromic obesity, patients with monogenic obesity usually show normal neurodevelopment. They would be presented with hyperphagia and early-onset severe obesity with additional clinical symptoms including short stature, red hair, adrenal insufficiency, hypothyroidism, hypogonadism, pituitary insufficiencies, diabetes insipidus, increased predisposition to infection or intractable recurrent diarrhea. Identifying patients with genetic obesity is critical as new innovative therapies including melanocortin 4 receptor agonist have become available. Early genetic evaluation enables to identify treatable obesity and provide timely intervention which may eventually achieve favorable outcome by establishing personalized management.

The effect of cultivar and stage of growth on the fermentation, aerobic stability and nutritive value of ensiled Quinoa

Quinoa can be an important source of silage as an alternative forage crop. However, there is limited information on the ensiling of quinoa. This study aimed to investigate the silage fermentation quality, nutritive value and aerobic stability of quinoa cultivars harvested at different plant growing stages. The experiment was carried out in experimental area of the Hatay Mustafa Kemal University, Faculty of Agriculture in 2019 and 2020 growing seasons. The experiment was laid out in a split plot in randomized block design with three replications, three main plots were harvesting times (flowering, milky and dough stages) and five sub-plots were cultivars (Mint Vanilla, Cherry Vanilla, French Vanilla, Red Head and Titicaca). Traits such as pH, ammonia nitrogen, lactic acid bacteria, lactic acid, acetic acid, butyric acid, propionic acid, ethanol, dry matter, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, acid detergent lignin, crude protein, ash, ether extract, water soluble carbohydrate and relative feed value were investigated to determine silage fermentation quality and nutritive value. In addition, all silages were evaluated in terms of aerobic stability. Among the evaluated quinoa cultivars in terms of fermentation quality, cv. Titicaca and cv. French Vanilla provided superior results compared to other cultivars. It was also determined that it would be more appropriate to harvest these superior quinoa cultivars during the dough stage for quality silage. Among the silages, the cv. Titicaca had the best aerobic stability. As a result of this study, it was concluded that cv. French Vanilla and cv. Titicaca should be harvested during the dough stage to obtain better silage quality. According to the results of this study, it was deduced that the quinoa plant could be an alternative ensiling crop.

Waiting to be Taken

Waiting to be Taken Carrie Hall (bio) Elysium lay sprawled on the couch like she was waiting to be taken, but nobody seemed to notice. The swooning forearm thrown casually over her brow and her knock-kneed legs falling wide apart barely caught anyone's attention. It was hard to tell if she was passed out or just weeping. Suddenly, she opened her eyes, looked around long enough to register shock and disbelief, then fell to the ground in full wail. She buried her mouth in the long red carpet and screamed. She leaned back again, her face, though dark, visibly reddened by grief. She ran her hands through her dreadlocks, now dyed blue; cheap mascara ran down all the way down her face to the two tattooed lines, like the hollows of a fiddle, on her throat. Another gutter punk, Little Bob, his head shaved bald, sat on the floor with her and cried too. When she went down for her next screaming sob, he tapped her on the shoulder and as she got up he handed her a drink—straight vodka. "Hey!" I yelled from across the room—the area partitioned as the kitchen, "put some orange juice in there!" I'd brought orange juice because I wanted people to ingest something with nutritional value and I knew I'd never be able to get anyone to eat. As one of the slightly older crowd—nineteen—I felt I had to act responsible. For punks in the early nineties, nineteen was practically middle-aged. Even still, my own drink had some juice in it, but the amount was purely symbolic; you'd have to hold it up to the light to see a thin wisp of yellow floating through the thick clear liquid. I hadn't added ice. "What the hell is she so sad about?" Max asked me. Max was Markus's wife. I mean, not wife-wife, we weren't the type of people to actually marry—not with a wedding and all that. Imagine us at a wedding; this was the way we threw a funeral. But they had a baby together, they'd just bought a house. Markus's ashes were in a plastic bag on the coffee table so everyone could come by and pay their respects. The vodka and orange juice were sitting right next to the bag. In a few hours, we'd go scatter those ashes in the river. We lived in Minneapolis, at the Mississippi's neck. "Was he fucking her?" Max said, nodding toward Elysium. Max wore black leather pants and a black tank top. Her arms were pale and strong. Her red hair, which, unlike the rest of ours, had never been dyed, was the brightest in the room. My posture was—I looked like I was going to bend in half and break under the pain of it all. Max looked like she was going to tear apart everyone in the room limb from fucking limb with her teeth. I have never seen anyone more beautiful. "Anyway he's dead now," she said. She sipped her drink (half juice) like she was at a cocktail party. I guzzled mine like water and when it was gone I was desperate for more, but I didn't dare leave her side. Everyone gave us a wide berth even though we were leaned up against the counter by the fridge, which they probably wanted to get into, but they weren't about to bother the widow— and me, whatever I was. The ghost. [End Page 325] "No really. Was he fucking her?" she asked me accusingly. In truth, I saw more of Markus than she did, because my boyfriend Johnny (where the hell was Johnny? I hadn't been able to find him all day. I'd barely seen him since Markus died) and Markus were best friends. Markus was always with us, and she was always at home with their kid, Matilda. Oh Jesus, Matilda. So I was a lot more likely to know if he was getting into trouble with that little runaway, but honestly, I didn't know for sure if Markus was sleeping with her...

Kyra Markham: Letters to Louis Sheaffer (1962–63)

Kyra Markham: Letters to Louis Sheaffer (1962–63)