Fallout (Crank 3)

I never thought forgiveness

would come so hard to her.

I give the top-of-the-hour

station ID, say a few witty

words about shopping

procrastinators. Once the music

kicks back in, I call Nikki.

Who apparently isn’t home.

Whatever. Maybe it’s better

to leave her a message. She’d

probably hang up on me.

“Nik, I swear I’m not stalking

you. But please, please listen.

What I did was worse than

wrong. It was unconscionable.

I have never loved anyone

the way I love you. And I

don’t think I ever will. You

are the most important thing

in my life. Without you,

I’m empty. Please forgive

me. I swear, I’ll earn back

your trust. Can we just talk?”

I COULD GO ON

But that’s all the machine wants

to hear at one time, and if I call back,

I’ll definitely sound like a stalker.

I’d just go ahead over there,

but she is somewhere else, and

after my shift, I’m supposed