breath, they exhale the smoke into our 

tly. 
his mother doesn't love him. I tell him 
e saved his life. 
:autiful:' 
Detroit. 
me from myself." 
oday. I take his hand in mine, show him 

e exclaims. 

ground, a young woman is crying on the 
her arms around her, pulls her in. 
lend pats her on the back. 
resses. They both shiver, quivering from 
tities of the streets, the air. Adam offers 

;ht-drunk. Some guys, they picked her 
,, 

~ell phone screen reads 3AM-the dim 
night. I realize we are three miles from 
tug on Adam's shirt sleeve. 

ir restaurant for a break. Inside, an Aus­
:rums the air with his calloused fingers. 
n collar around the neck. As I listen, I 
d how he stood atop a mountain. 
ondo, but not yet. For now, I will listen. 
:nt I forget the swerving cars, the alco-

rthday and that someone, somewhere, 
s to be human. Maybe the strip-these 
lip away. Maybe these lights will grow 

16 

Branbi Dauib 

Breton lli.s.s 
Waiter takes the order 
ignoring faint smells of 

hair spray 
powder 
freesias & Old Spice 

as 2 
make silent conversation 
amid empty chairs, 
dozens of water rings 
on scratched wooden tables. 

A Bell's Best Brown 

a lemon-less water 
"Have you seen-" Sudden uproar from 

the bar, clinking glasses 
providing percussion for 
thunderous cheers. A team 
in Ireland scored against 
a team from England 
when-

looks down. 

crumbs migrate from the 
grilled cheese, flocking to the 
beard and joined by beer in 
the moustache 

looks up. 

separate checks 

17