Michael Knight was born in Mobile, Alabama, and received an MA from the University of Southern Mississippi and an MFA from the University of Virginia. He is the author of five works of fiction, including the novel The Typist (Atlantic Monthly Press, 2010) and the short story collections Dogfight and Other Stories and Goodnight, Nobody. Knight lives in Knoxville, where he teaches creative writing at the University of Tennessee.

The Atom Bowl

A Story

by Michael Knight

Say your name.

That’s all right, Pawpaw. It doesn’t have to be too official.

Do it right. It’s for school.

My name is Daniel Vaughn, and I’m a junior at Knoxville Christian Academy. That work?

And say what it’s for.

American history. It’s a history project.

You should have me state my name too. And tell the tape where the interview is being done and what day it is and all that.

Pawpaw, this right here is why we don’t come visit you more often.

Just do it, boy. It’s important.

People on couch
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