happened? It’s all good.
EXCEPT IT’S NOT
Brendan shakes my hand,
takes Montana’s arm, and they
return to the party. I reach for
Nikki, but she yanks away.
She hands me my jacket,
which I left on a chair,
holds out my cell phone
between two fingers,
like it’s poison. Heard it
ring and thought it might
be important. By the time
I dug it out of your jacket
it had gone to voice mail.
Her own voice crackles.
Sorry, but I went ahead and
picked up the message.
She straightens, squares
her shoulders, and I know
I’m in trouble. It was from
some girl named Leah….
Autumn
ONE DAY
Until the wedding. One week
until Christmas, such as it will be.
School just let out for vacation.
And there’s so much to do.
Shopping. Manicure. Rehearsal
dinner tonight. More shopping.