Mitko (Miami University Press Fiction)

Set against the backdrop of an unfamiliar city, the narrative explores the evolving relationship between an American and a young local man, Mitko, initially rooted in a transactional encounter. As their connection deepens, it reveals Mitko's poignant history of illness and exploitation, highlighting themes of desire, privilege, and the complexities of human connection. The story delves into the ambivalence of their relationship, examining the interplay of submission, need, and resentment, ultimately questioning the nature of understanding oneself and others.