Hello.
PEPPER! HI!
Why are you calling me.
HOW ARE YOU.
Fine thanks. Why are you calling me.
I’M HITCHING ACROSS AMERICA!
I know. That’s great. I can’t do this.
AMERICA BABY!
I can’t talk

click

What was it, that day?
It wasn’t even a pretty day.
The sun was out, I had mud in my hair.
Constellations of crimson bites on my ankles.
Why then, did you call across the field?

You let the Frisbee fall flat in front of me
“SOMETIMES I FALL IN LOVE WITH PEOPLE AND I FELL IN LOVE WITH YOU!” your voice carried.

(momentary heart stop. technical difficulties. resume.)


bead of sweat on my upper lip,
sun fading behind trees now,

you looked like a cliché for a second,
silhouette against the sunset, breathtaking eyes.

those EYES—

(momentary lung failure. CPR. resume.)


i love you too
Did I say that out loud?

TOGETHER WE CAN FIND IT!
what?

IT!
oh.
whatever that is.
I’ll do it though—
you used to have me in the sky with just a
sidelong glance, mister amber eye

(temporary insanity. plead guilty. resume.)

we can help each other
but I need to take care of something
FIREY-HAIRED BOY?
who? oh. yes. him.
BUT THIS IS IT!
YOU

ARE

IT!

Against the tree, in the middle of the field,
at the park where I had kissed the other last
week, you brought me close. I tremble still
when I think about that first touch.

You were the real fire—

(a year of burning. fire hose, charred remains. resume.)

culminating in:

AMERICA BABY!
click


you’re there and here I am

you are now just a


disembodied



voice

in the void of bad



cell reception.