Summary

“a strong dead man” by Daniel Alarcón begins by explaining that Rafael’s father has had a series of strokes. Aged 16, Rafael now understands that people can age dramatically in a very short time.

When Rafael’s father has another stroke, many relatives come to their house and grieve while Rafael sits silently, and his mother sleeps in the next room. 

Rafael’s cousin Mario arrives. When he asks Rafael if he is alright, Rafael shrugs. Mario takes Rafael out, and together they go to a park where Rafael and his group of friends saw a dead body floating in the Hudson River four years ago. Back then, Rafael commented that the body looked like a strong dead man, and his friend replied that somebody else was evidently stronger. The friends stayed at the pier, talking, and only remembered the body again when a touri...