CHERYL STRAYED is the author of the novel Torch (Houghton Mifflin). Her work appeared in Best New American Voices 2003 (Harvest Books) and Best American Essays 2003 (Houghton Mifflin). She lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband and two children.

The Boy With Blue Hair

by Cheryl Strayed, January 2006 (Issue 361)

The Love Of My Life

by Cheryl Strayed, September 2002 (Issue 321)