The Understudy

Hieu Minh Nguyen Even in California all of my friends require touch to get through winter. It’s true, I am waiting to be in love in front of the people I love. He says, I’m glad you’re here & I want to cover his mouth to warm my hands. Of course I understand how one would mistake that earthquake for a passing train but what do we do with the stillness when after great change nothing moves, but his hand sliding a glass of wine across the table instructing me to drink with a single nod. I bring the glass to my face but don’t let a drop pass my lips. Beside him, I am almost somewhere I’d like to be for a while. To make him smile I tell him I am bad at sex. To make him kiss me I tell him when I’m happy I go looking for things I haven’t lost yet.