Fallout (Crank 3)

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.