Summary

The short story “How to Lose” by Victoria Patterson follows the everyday life of the two main characters, Natalie and her nephew AJ.

The story starts with Natalie waking up and thinking about her abandoned fertility treatments. Her nephew, AJ, practices holding his breath under water in the bathtub, and she goes to watch him. He is determined to succeed because he wants to advance in his swimming lessons in school.

Natalie remembers a conversation with AJ from the previous day. AJ said that he believed he was fat, but Natalie reassured him that he was not and that she wouldn’t lie to him. After AJ practices in the tub some more, the two have breakfast. They have been late to drop him off at school recently, but AJ delays leaving. Neither of them likes the moment when AJ is dropped off at school, and it has been especially diffi...