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I turned and watched the freight's blinking tail light slink into the falling darkness, its presence as fleeting asShannie The color had yet to return to her face "Never thought Ithe passenger door

"Are you insane? What the fuck is your probleer sitting next to er my best friend or the only person I'd ever fall in love with She had forgotten The sacred memories that even I re rumbled

Shannie burst into tears She bawled and bawled When she pulled it back together, she slipped the GTI into gear and we rode wordlessly into darkness

I was surprised to see Shannie at the rehab the following evening "Wanna go for a walk?" she asked

"Sure"

"I got bad news," Shannie said ere alone in the elevator

Distracted by her fragrance, she shtest hint of coffee "Really?" I nuzzled up to her

"Ja me away "Do you remember Jerome?" Shannie asked

"Who?"

"Jerome, you know, the kid fro I remember is that bitch Denise - the devil incarnate - Beelzebub"

"Genise"

"Whatever"

"No it's not whatever I' to let you sleaze James Say it Ga-niece Ga-niece"

The elevator slid open and a nervous man and woman stepped in to hear me say: "How many times do I have to tell you I'm not a sped?" Before we exited I continued: "Repeat after me, Ja the notion that blondes can't walk and chew gum, Shannie shook her head and rolled her eyes When the elevator's doors swooshed shut Shannie said, "Jerome is dead He was killed, shot to death"

I paused for a second A faceless iait toward the front door Outside the brisk November air embraced us

"Do you reht

I shook ? You think I like not re? I'm sure I knew him I's I just can't remember Okay? Jesus Christ cut me a break"