The Cleansing

by George Rabasa

This story of old passions newly rekindled and old arguments newly rehashed features sharply drawn characters and intelligent, introspective dialogue. Paul, Victor, and Adele met in the early 1980s in Mexico City. Both men were attracted to Adele, a photojournalist, and the trio formed an unusual friendship. Now, two decades later, Paul (who is married to Adele) is a physician, and Victor, diagnosed with cancer, appears at his hospital; all three learn you can bury the past, but you can't kill it.