FRED

What can I say of FRED? It is an homage and loving thought tossed at my good friend, Fred, whose name, actually, is not, of course, Fred. It's Gabe. Meanwhile, were any book of mine to be counted as a friend, it would be FRED. It recounts maxims, Italian movies, chows, $1 weiners, perilous adventures where very little happens and breezy reflections on what is and is not valuable – like friendship and unanswered questions and Anthony 'Tony' Quinn. And like a good friend, it snuggles. But more than an ordinary friend–FRED is a buddy–the kind of book I would take fishing, were I to fish, which I don't, as I am afraid to death of worms, which haunt me in my dreams.