The Artful Recidivist

The Artful Recidivist 

Artemis Bloom's Bubbie wretched over the swastika tattooed on his hand; his sable self-desecration contrasting the fading numerals on her forearm. But that's what prison does -- dulls your shock sense; yang consumes yin. She always said good boys become doctors, wear paisley ties, love brisket; “Why not you?” Junkies rob bodegas and chase needles. Bubbie’s dog was a puppy when Artemis left, but even with cataracts and a graying muzzle, he recognized his old pal’s hand like he did when it was soft, before the throbbing isolation redirected Artie to the spoon, gun, and a number of his own.