My neighbors sat, with paper plates on their laps. Some of them brought chairs of their own.

There really were no ground rules.

There were nuts in the house, a fruit assortment, sushi. Chips, salsa, hummus, veggies, dip. Beer and wine and ginger ale and Fresca. Someone carried over nachos and a cheese plate.

I’d spent the day cleaning, buying things at Target. Saying hello to everyone around me.

Ever since my break-in, I took extra steps to spread myself with karma.

People ate. We laughed.

The back bulb went out.

My dogs sniffed. They lifted their legs and peed on my zucchini.

 

 

 

 

 

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ARTWORK BY REMY CHARPLIN