"Water Liars" by Barry Hannah

I came across this story in Esquire's Big Book of Fiction (2002; it appeared in the July 1976 issue) under a different title, "Behold the Husband in His Perfect Agony," and as the first part of a three-part story, where it was subtitled: "Homeless." The others were "Home" and "Home Free."

That reading experience was interesting, but I much prefer "Water Liars" on its own because it's just such a powerful and lingering story. To have it followed, swallowed up even, by the other stories just took so much away from it, for me.

So, anyway, here it is all on it's own. Enjoy!

"Water Liars" by Barry Hannah

Barry Hannan