Page 164 of The Black Flamingo

---

but I will be tonight.”

I see Simon and Mia

enter Library Square;

they don’t notice me

at first and I’m relieved.

But I’m with a group

of drag performers

in their full costumes.

They see them

and me, the plain-clothed accomplice.

Mia is friendly in a way

that makes it clear she knows

what happened

between Jack and me.

Simon holds out his hand

for a handshake.

I place a flyer in his palm.

Mia says, taking the flyer

from Simon, “OMG, yes!

I love drag!”

Simon plays it cool.

“Sure, we’ll all come along.”

He says, “Jack’s here

for the weekend.”

I look behind them

and then behind me,

expecting to see

Jack.

“Relax,” says Simon.

“He’s still asleep on my sofa.”

---