to meet you. I’ve heard
a lot about you. You were
a hard act to follow.
Chase told her about me?
Yes, I guess that’s like
him. Honest till it hurts.
I don’t know what to say
except, “Home for a visit?”
Chase nods. We eloped,
so my mom hadn’t met
Amanda yet. Thought
we should fix that
before the baby’s born.
We make small talk
for a few minutes, my
end of the conversation
minuscule, compared
to all of Chase’s news.
Finally he decides,
It’s pretty late. We’d
better go before Mom
decides we skipped
town. Take care.
“You too. And let me
know when the baby
comes, okay?” I watch
them walk hip-to-hip
down the street. And
despite all the people—
bodies, faces—swarming