Page 127 of I Can't Even Think Straight

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I expected Jenny to greet us enthusiastically,

since she knows all three of us,

but she waves without getting up.

She’s seated in the middle of a group

of eclectically dressed individuals

on sofas and floor cushions, and

I can only assume this is The Coven.

This reminds me of Nicky Anderson’s house party,

but whiter, posher, and more witchy.

To the left of Jenny and The Coven

there’s a massive bookcase

the height and width of an entire wall.

I feel myself pulled toward it.

I want to read the titles

and the authors’ names

on the spines of these books.

Perhaps I could

pick one to get lost in

for the whole evening.

Obi holds me back with one long arm

around me, and another around Vass.

Obi wears a Sex Pistols band T-shirt

with the words “God Save the Queen”

over the eyes of our former monarch.

“I’ll give you the tour before

I introduce you to The Coven,” Obi says.

“The Coven?” Matt asks

as he backs away from us.

“They’re harmless,” says Obi.

“No need to look so alarmed.”

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