it's better than the other short stories i've read from him, at least, but it's still a low three for me. 
 there's not much to "review" - it's another one of his stories where the degree of your readerly appreciation hinges on how delighted you are by its twist ending. and since i'd already guessed the ending because of who and what i am, my delight was greyish-beige with a hint of tangerine. 
 the amount of unusual erotica i have read in the name of laffter and science has deadened me a bit to the parts some other readers found so scandalous, so that wasn't a problem for me, but it is a little cheaty in places, (view spoiler)[i mean, why on EARTH would the neighbor's wife be upset by what occurred between her husband and annie? (hide spoiler)]. 
 however, that toddler-scene was perfect, right down to its across-the-lawn exit scene. 
 i love twists in general, so i'll keep reading these whenever people put 'em in front of me (thanks to TL for this one), and i hope i find one i really really like. bring it, weir! 
 read it for yourself here: 
 http://www.galactanet.com/oneoff/anni...