Enthralled: Paranormal Diversions (Wicked Lovely 5.50)

(to her).

“Can we start over?”

“No.”

Sniffle.

“But we can keep going.”

“Your turn,” I say to Krista.

“Tell us why you freaked.

But first, make Mickey buy you

a funnel cake.”

On a bench

by the Ferris wheel

they eat.

I crouch a few feet in front of them,

in the middle of the foot traffic.

Apparently I never sat on that bench

in my whole life.

“My brother died when I was ten.”

Krista tugs off a long string of fried dough

and dangles it into her mouth.

Powdered sugar

showers over the edge of her lips

down to her chin.

I wonder if Mickey wants to lick it off.

I would

if I could smell

and taste,

or think of anyone but Aura.

“What happened?” Mickey asks.

“OD’d.”

A strong breeze