I walk a block to the coffeehouse. Brit is serving. We don’t say hi. We smile our hellos. I see her all the time.
“Can I have a Chocolate buddha and a double—triple—huge red eye.”
“What’s wrong?” Brit says.
“I’m trying to go this party, right?”
“Which one?”
“The art show—are you going?”
“At Front Street? Yeah, if I ever get out of here!” She yells that to her manager. “Are you showing?”
“Yeah.”
“I’ll see you there, then, if you hang around. Just..stay till like nine..or..can you stay till ten?"
“Maybe,” I say.
“You look sad,” Brit says.
“That’s cause I’m trying to leave my apartment and Ash and Chad are up in my closet trying on every piece of clothing I have. Just pick out something to wear, you know?! They’re like—it’s like they’re in a time zone..to themselves..they think all anybody wants to do is sit around and watch them slurp on each other. If they wanna fuck, why don’t they just go to one of their places, fuck, and then meet me up later!”
“I’ll get your drinks,” Brit says.