January 7th
Today, finally, sunlight leaches through bony branches, and through me. I text Anna, then Neri, to see if either of them wants to go for a drink, but they’re both already booked up, burnt by all my no-shows no doubt, and who can blame them. I walk to the park and catch a glimpse of Sal in the far corner. I call to her, but she keeps her distance. I wonder if she knows what I did to Nick, if she’s scared of me too. No goldfinches or starlings. No birds at all. No living creature wants to come near.