ARRvol34 master reduced - Flipbook - Page 99
plane tree’s leaves means less than you’d think. Even the fact that
Ashley’s intentions were not entirely pure could not preserve me
from my stupidity. She nodded, and her eyes widened as I read the
poem.
Every “I love you” is a story, and it can be criticized as such. Being
ardent can’t help being a liar, or stupid.
I had dropped out of Sierra a while before. The reason why is
vague; there are various theories. Some have opined that it was the
drugs, but those persons are unaware of my rumored involvement
in a conspiracy to rob a bank, and my overall bad way of dealing
with problems by making new ones.
I never was sure if Brian had ever been in college. I doubt it, given
how much time Brian spent apparently not doing anything. One
night, at a party, I was told that Brian had been in the Air Force. “He
got kicked out,” the story said in the orange light of a sodium vapor
street light, “for sleeping too much.” I didn’t question the credibility
of this claim. I couldn’t have questioned it then anyway, because
speaking of Brian seemed to summon him out onto the balcony, all
slouching, shuffling, and bemused sincerity, and I stumbled just
then from standing.
Brian waved an arm holding a solo cup with an overpowered
drink, and said “I’ve figured out how to make perfect fiction.” I was
drunk enough that beyond that, all I think I remember is I threw up
on the story’s shoe. Brian helped me clean it up. Bobby was there. I
think Brian’s sister, Katie, was there too, with her short black hair,
piercings whose number I’d love to confirm, and tattoos. Other
friends of less relevance were there, navigating through their own
nonsense.
Don’t have sex with your roommate’s girlfriend on your roommate’s bed when Brian is his best friend.
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