THOUGHTS ORBIT

I.

Dylan finds me around the corner with Chloe,

hands me something wrapped in newspaper.

Happy Valentine’s Day scribbled in Sharpie.

I open it: a joint

and a Phish bootleg from New Year’s.

II.

Home,

click in the tape,

remember last Valentine’s Day,

Adam took me to J. G. Melon for dinner,

bought me yellow roses.

Wonder if maybe he could be there for me now.

I call Adam and say

my dad is sick

to a ring that no one answers.

III.

Lock myself in the bathroom,

light a candle,

take two puffs from the joint.

Thoughts orbit

until I settle on one:

Call Dylan,

ask him to cut out early

from school

tomorrow.