What do I say now? Thanks for the dope? It was
good, and I got really high? That’s true, but not enough.
We made each other a promise and I’m going to keep it.
I won’t make a beautiful thing just pretty by trying to
describe it.

         You know what happened.

         Now this curb is hard and cold under my butt and my
knees almost bump my face. I saw your light come on so I
know you’re home and your parents aren’t. I know which
room yours is, remember? I remember. You don’t need to
pick up your phone to know I’m out here, but you better
pick it up just the same.

         The field is dark like it was the first time. This time,
though, it’s dark because I shot out the streetlights with my
brother’s .22. The filament sparked like what I won't describe
and the pieces of glass glowed orange all the way to the
ground. I spread the blanket out back with the trees. Call
when you leave the house and you’ll see my lighter, that's
how you’ll find me.

         When I said I had my brother’s .22 I didn’t mean I was
bringing it with us. I only had three bullets, anyway. One for
each light. It’s a shitty gun, and I’m lucky it didn't blow
up in my face.

         I’ve smoked two bowls and I’m getting sleepy. Why
aren’t you here? Why don’t you answer? Was that Benny
you were talking to after French? Jesus, Benny is a freak.
Maybe I’ve got another bullet in my pocket. Hey, no. That
was a joke. Just a joke, okay? A joke. Why did you turn
your phone off? Did your parents find out?

         My battery is low but I’m high. In the woods I’m
Daniel Boone camping with my gun that I ran out of bullets
for, so the difference between courage and circumstance Mr.
Hamilton would say is what?

         Timmy Howell saw a bear running on the levy yesterday,
and in Math Jennifer wore a yellow skirt and jacket and it was
like I’d never seen her before. She was beautiful.

         When the spaceship comes, I’m going to get on, whether
you’re here or not. I believe the aliens are good, and that they
want to communicate, and that they love Mexican food. We'll
walk into Taco Bueno, me and the aliens, and we'll order
five Bandito Specials with sopapillas, and word will spread.
If you love me, you’ll come.