Fallout (Crank 3)

but her voice carried only

hurt. Do what you have to.

SHE WAS MAD

But I was mad too. Not

at her, but that didn’t much

matter. Not right then.

In fact, I was mad enough

to let myself not feel too bad

about my little p.m. tryst.

But by bedtime, I felt emptied.

Nervous. Too, too alone.

I watched Nik come from

the shower, skin warm and

hair wet, and I wanted her

with every electron of my being.

Not just her body. All of her.

In bed with me, a piece of me.

No, all of me. Because without her,

I am nothing. I knew it then

and I know it now. And, thank

God, she allowed my hours

of self-pity, then showed me

again what it means to be

in love with an angel.

I WATCH HER NOW

My angel

getting ready for the Christmas

party. Perfuming her arms

and legs with ginger-steeped

lotion. Sliding sleek,