Sunday Reading

Dan Barry.

Michael Moore vs. Ken Burns.

The Minnesota bridge narrative we were looking for, by Pam Louwagie: It was nearing 6 p.m. on Wednesday when Kristin West walked out to her car. She couldn't wait to get home, kick off her cork wedgies and change into shorts. As she smoked her usual pre-commute cigarette, she chatted on her cell phone with her son about dinner -- McDonald's -- and then hopped into her Chevy Trailblazer. Minutes later, she turned northbound onto Interstate 35W and tooled happily toward home.

Cars were backed up on the bridge over the Mississippi River. Workers were repairing the bridge deck, and traffic was down to four lanes.

At the middle of the bridge, cars began to move a little more easily. And then, over the blare of a Chris Daughtry CD, West heard an odd rumble.

Colleen Kenney: FIRTH — Look at this.

Look at this, Mom.

Mom, look.

Christie Brazier hears her little girl say this a lot. Sarah is 6. Sarah forgets what happened. She thinks her mom is the same as before, except for the short hair and the long white cane.

"I tell her, 'Close your eyes and look around. That's what I see.' I know it's really hard for her to understand. That's what I tell Sarah to do — 'Close your eyes and look around.'"

Christie smiles. Her face is turned to the voice of a visitor who sits in the living room of her parents' home. Christie's mom, seated in another chair, brought her home from an Omaha care center a few days ago.

Christie's hazel eyes are dilated. They look oddly dark.