What's a little casual sex talk have to do with the new year?

Nothing, really. But we're glad we got your attention, and hope we can keep it long enough to get you to read James Fleming's absorbing, intense new story, "He Tells Her a Story." "He Tells..." kicks off our new year not because it's more than a bit racy, after a fashion, but because it's our favorite of the stories we've run over the past few months. And because it pays a fine tribute to one of our favorite writers, Stephen Dixon. Enough said, on our part - go read it, and (ahem) kick your new year off with a bang.