walking down railroad avenue behind the tire store, i watch for my cue to turn off— an old dead-end sign sprouting like a rusted tulip from a sea of knee-deep weeds. a car slows down behind me. a voice calls my name. a man’s voice. i keep walking. but the car speeds up then turns in front of me, so abruptly i plow into the hood and fall backward. larry steps out, hurrying toward me. you all right, desiree? he holds his hand out to help me up, but i stare a hole in it. you hit me! don’t be so dramatic, he says, all calm, you walked into my car. i start to run. at first i’m faster, and larry has trouble keeping up. but when i reach the dead-end sign, he gains on me, moving closer. the mouth of the woods opens. shadows gobble up the trees. larry grabs my arm, whirls me around. what the hell’s the matter with you? i try to pull away. let me go or i’ll scream! larry shakes me. why are you ignoring me? why can’t i ever see you? jesus, we made love and now— made love?
