"Pet Milk"

“Pet Milk” by Stuart Dybek is a wonderful short story that encompasses intimate moments between two lovers about to embark on the journey of adulthood. Dybek’s voice is playful and uplifting, which is refreshing to read. Personally, I felt that his use of “Pet milk” in the story was a metaphor for the sensation of love. Kate, who is the narrarator’s girlfriend, is this sensation personified. I found that this story is easy to relate to anyone who has ever experienced romance, even if merely a high school date. Additionally, I found it was easy to relate to as a young college student since it illustrates the transition from youth to becoming a “professional” in the real world. “Pet Milk” is a story that moves quickly, which I felt reflected the romance and passion Dybek was trying to portray. Small details such as “She had lovely knees” were such small moments that gave the story so much character and realness. As the story concludes with them in a moment of passion on the train, this lasting image seems to be a beacon of hope. As we may grow older and go on, these moments of love live forever.