Summary

Miguel Syjuco’s short story “Be Here Now” begins with the narrator moving into a new house with his fiancée Jenna. As they set up the kitchen, the narrator reflects on Jenna’s beauty but refuses to explore the neighbourhood. As Jenna goes to sleep, the narrator recalls how she had to deal with packing things from their old house alone, as he was away taking photographs in a brutal war zone where he witnessed various horrible events. Skyping with her and seeing pictures of various houses for sale helped him stay grounded and connected to his life at home while he was away.

The narrator checks his email and is both relieved and disappointed that there is no new assignment for him. He then looks at other photos showing soldiers and victims in war zones. He recalls showing them to Jenna and Jenna saying she was proud of him. The narrato...