[baltimore]

At the end of the day, we stand barefoot in my third-floor room, the June light filtering through the blinds. I fold my hand around his jaw– he’s got a great jaw, a lovely mouth. He speaks with a Canadian raising, the vowels are all funny to me, but his voice is gentle. I am more myself here than I have been for a long time. Tomorrow night, I leave for Africa. We make the briefest of plans and no promises.