Two Dutch braids, tight from the forehead.<\/p>\n
8 AM. The heat was already heavy.<\/p>\n
I handed over the papers.<\/p>\n
“Congratulations,” the clerk said. “You are enrolled.”<\/p>\n
Master\u2019s in Political Science.<\/p>\n
I was ready to negotiate with terrorists. Or at least my boyfriend.<\/p>\n
8:05. I walked out. I called him.<\/p>\n
He was asleep.<\/p>\n
“Come over,” he said. His voice was thick. “But we\u2019re out of condoms. Buy some?”<\/p>\n
“Okay.”<\/p>\n
Pharmacy at the bus stop. Three people ahead.<\/p>\n
An old woman, confused. A man in a suit. A guy my age.<\/p>\n
The line stalled. The old woman argued.<\/p>\n
The guy turned.<\/p>\n
“Nobody\u2019s in a rush here, right?”<\/p>\n
He winked.<\/p>\n
I was nervous. I just wanted to get to my boyfriend. But I smiled.<\/p>\n
Yellow Lacoste polo. Thrift store find, price of a coffee. It matched the gold in my hair.<\/p>\n
The old woman didn’t stop.<\/p>\n
“I\u2019m getting beer and pills,” the guy said. “Going to the yard to fade out. Want to come?”<\/p>\n
I don\u2019t know how he read the vibe.<\/p>\n
“No thanks,” I said. “Other plans.”<\/p>\n
The woman left. The suit paid fast.<\/p>\n
The guy ordered a pack of Trigan-D.<\/p>\n
“You sure you have things to do this early?” he asked. “Time enough to get high.”<\/p>\n
“I\u2019m sure.”<\/p>\n
I ordered Durex Elite. The twelve-pack.<\/p>\n
He paused.<\/p>\n
The look changed. Not admiration. Respect.<\/p>\n
“Ah,” he said. “Those plans. I get it. I\u2019m going then.”<\/p>\n
“Bye,” I said. “Have a good one.”<\/p>\n
We walked out together.<\/p>\n
I got on the minibus. I watched him go.<\/p>\n
He walked toward the yard. I knew that yard. I had drunk there many times.<\/p>\n
He went to get lost.<\/p>\n
I went to a man who wouldn\u2019t even brush his teeth for me.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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