I drove past a billboard somewhere in Alabama. It had a man’s name on it. Not the name of a lawyer or real estate agent: just Alan. Written in red spray paint across rotting plywood and framed by faded pictures of fishing. I don’t know Alan. But clearly someone did.

Makena Helms is a recent BFA graduate and longtime creator of random scenarios inside her head. Besides writing, she also enjoys devouring the incredible work of others and spending time with her dog.