When I wake up next I have far too much real estate in the bed, two-thirds, if not more. Ben sleeps heavily way over on the right side and I hear Lochlan. He's playing the guitar and sitting by the fire. No fire is lit. The windows are open wide instead so that I can hear the birds. I can see the worn hem of the neck of his t-shirt. I can see his curls, head bent down over the guitar.
It's just a song.
You play it every day and you sing it all the time. I can hear you. It's like under your breath.
Don't stand so close.
But you smell good.
So?
Why is her dress ripped? Did they rip it off?
No. She left her life behind. They get out of the shitty small town. Like we'll do when I get my license.
Are we going where they went?
What? No, Bridget. We'll go somewhere better.
Caleb said I was a beauty.
What?
In the song, he says she's not a beauty but she's alright. Caleb said I was beautiful.
He's grooming you. That's why I'll take you away.
Like a cat does to her kittens?
No, Bridget. Not like that.
Why did you put my name in the song if you're not going to answer any of my questions?
Ask Caleb.
FINE.
The screen door slams, Bridget's dress wavesI'm nine years old and I want him to explain, or rather I need him to explain every single line in that song, even though he said he changed some of the words. I do this while I'm walking in circles, trying to step on my rainbow shoelace that's come untied. Every time I succeed I trip myself and he lets go of the guitar he can't hardly play to steady me.
Like a vision she dances across the porch as the radio plays
Springsteen singing for the lonely
Hey, that's me and I want you only
Don't turn me home again, I just can't face myself alone again
Don't run back inside, darling, you know just what I'm here for
So you're scared and you're thinking that maybe we're too young for more
Show a little faith, there's magic in the night
You ain't a beauty but, hey, you're alright
Oh, and that's alright with me
It's just a song.
You play it every day and you sing it all the time. I can hear you. It's like under your breath.
Don't stand so close.
But you smell good.
So?
Why is her dress ripped? Did they rip it off?
No. She left her life behind. They get out of the shitty small town. Like we'll do when I get my license.
Are we going where they went?
What? No, Bridget. We'll go somewhere better.
Caleb said I was a beauty.
What?
In the song, he says she's not a beauty but she's alright. Caleb said I was beautiful.
He's grooming you. That's why I'll take you away.
Like a cat does to her kittens?
No, Bridget. Not like that.
Why did you put my name in the song if you're not going to answer any of my questions?
Ask Caleb.
FINE.