He’s on the couch opposite me, a cloud of vape smoke hanging between us. He waves his hand to disperse the smoke and reveals himself like a magic trick. He’s wearing what I call his uniform; black Dickies, red sweatshirt, Converse hi-tops. This is how I’ll remember him. I won’t think of our wedding day, or our first kiss. I’ll think of him there, on the couch, smelling of cotton candy vape juice, telling me he’s leaving. I take a mental snapshot, saving it for future self pity. He walks out the door, leaving a cloud of smoke behind him.
Michele Catalano is a retired civil servant who runs the website I Have That on Vinyl. Bluesky: @ihavethatonvinyl.bsky.social