If You Are Lonely and You Know It

In "If You Are Lonely and You Know It," Yiyun Li crafts a poignant short story centered on Gordon Schulmeister, a reserved man tending to his garden and bees in a gentrified Oakland neighborhood. As the pandemic heightens tensions and changes his everyday life, Gordon faces challenges from a cantankerous landlord and an intimidating pit bull, ultimately leading him to consider breaking his silence and confronting his isolation. This narrative, part of the Currency collection, explores themes of wealth, class, and personal connection in a tumultuous world.