Stella by Starlight

Not a Star, Not a Rose: Episode 20

- Heyyyyyy! Can I have a Coke with some lemon in it?

- Why of course, Miss DuBois.

- Huh?

- Streetcar Named Desire . . .

- Oh, that’s right.

- You’re bouncy this evening. Did you finish your draft last week?

- Yeah, and I’m doing some rewrites now — but that’s not it . . .

- What’s up?

- Cady’s going to bring some of her poems to this open mic night — she’s done a chapbook, see? This is for you. She wants you to have it.

- Oh, thanks — aw, and she signed it. Dark Muse? Huh.

- Yeah, that’s the title poem. They’re all really good.

- I bet they’re interesting . . .

- Uh huh. Only she doesn’t want to read them for an audience. So I’m going to.

- Ah.

- And y’know, Deke, I’m really honored she asked me to do this.

- When —

- And I think it’ll be fine because I’ll be reading, I won’t have to have anything memorized. It’s tomorrow night at Experience Coffee. You know where that is.

- Uh huh. Just off the 94?

- Yeah, by the Vons. You . . . wanna come see it?

- I’m not sure I can get off work at such short notice. Also . . .

- Oh yeah. I understand.

- Uh oh — what’s this . . . ?

- You’re a busy guy.

- What’s with that tone?

- Forget it.

- Listen, I think you’ll do great, and I’m glad you get to do this.

- Yeah, make myself useful for once. Listen, thanks, but I can’t finish this.

- Kalmia . . .

- See ya.

Continued in Episode 21: Lament