The hotel convention center was spacious, but for them it felt like a closet. No matter who they talked to or where they could feel the others presence. Finally they had to break the ice “How’s it been?” “I’ve been good. Married now. One kid and another on the way.” “Oh wow that’s great. Congrats. We’re engaged now.” “Congratulations. Got a date set?” “Not yet. Not yet.” The convention continued but they were stuck. The immense pressure of time and memories had crushed them together like some metamorphic rock made of what could have been. “So listen-“ “Don’t.” “I just wanted to-“ “Ok, well I don’t. It’s fine. We’re fine. Let’s just leave it at that.”

Tony’s head was pounding after smacking against the side wall of the truck. His parched mouth and bone dry eyes led him to believe he would not feel any different if he had woken in a nice bed. His eye’s slowly came into focus and he noticed a dark sky and unfamiliar faces. He moaned and laboriously made his way to sitting up. “Where am I?” “Hola amigo. ¿Dormiste bien?” Shit. The other men in the truck fell about laughing. A bewildered Tony tried to take it all in. He’d gotten himself into some jams before but nothing like this. “Where are we?” “Vamos a trabajar, amigo.” The men could hardly contain themselves. This was the sorriest sight they had seen. Tony went to grab his phone but realized these weren’t his pants. What the hell happened? The last thing he remembered was going to the bar and talking to some new guys, but the rest was hazy at best. He vaguely remembered a bet. “Where are my pants?” “Te orinaste. Mucho.” Perfect. The truck rumbled to a stop and the men began unloading while Tony sat there. A nicer dressed man came across the yard and stood in front of Tony. “Morning sunshine. Time to put your money where your mouth is.” He handed Tony a shovel and pointed back across the yard towards to johns. “Two holes, hotshot.” “I think there’s been a mistake.” “I don’t.” “I’m not supposed to be here.” “$500 says you are.” A memory began swimming it’s way up through the liquor still sloshing around his brain. “Oh god.” “There he is. Now cmon. You told us this was easy. Now prove it.”

Beatrice was hungry.

The baby was crying, the microwave was beeping, her phone was ringing and Beatrice was hungry. The dog was whining, the cats were meowing, the coffee grinder was whirring and Beatrice was hungry. She fed the baby with one hand, stirred coffee with the other and held a phone between her cheek and shoulder. Her breakfast would have to wait for a diaper change, and then another one. The breakfast waited for bags to be packed teeth to be brushed. The breakfast waited for cars to be started and children to be buckled and was forgotten.