Who should we be mad at?

  The possee asked.  Asked right out loud like that

  'Well, I'm not sure exactly.'

  Better than being in a looney bin, someone in the hallway brings me into the present.

  A large marge slides up the wall from sitting and reorganizing backpack.  Gets right in someone's PS (personal space) YOU'RE NOT THE ONLY ONE who FEELS that, this way!

  So glad.

  I think when potential support asked right out loud it became a leveling-up moment.  I couldn't quite see the present for all the imprinting of the past.  Like I was seeing people in front of me but they were covered in topographical maps.  The way I'd seen the once-woods of Long Island.

  Pass this sheet will ya?  Maybe give it to that person playing drums on the locker.

  A hand extended to shake, suspended.  I used to.  I've made excuses like sneezes.  Order of things, hand shakes don't come first in the process.  Hand withdrawing.  "I'm an event coordinator these days," and a smile.

  "Are we having an event?"

  Better than an "episode"

  "Nice to meet you.  I'm just me like this."

  He wrote Me This on the HELLO. I'M sticker.  Be too mature or too cool or too Low T to stick it on your nose.  "I thought the writing group was meeting here."

  "Might be.  Lotta rooms."

  Signs on doors sorta vague and pre-group-minded, then

          Political animal

          Angel

  Gosh, I hope nobody switched the labels, Marge sucks in her breath in little sips.

  Survey says....

  Surveillance says....

  Surfing says a lot of things, Marge's man snatched the smartphone.

  Seeri, Where is the buffetbar?

  Oh, you're going to talk to so-and-so about that thing?

  Not Tipper flipper but yeah, He placed the phone back in Marge's hand frozen like a remote-stand.  Moved off through the clear hallway like he was wearing hip-waders.

  I flip and fling through text messages until one blanches my face.  I'll catch up with you soon Marge.

  "Summer snow" the headline reads.  Floating lice balls?

  APHIDS!  LICE?

  Empty room, unpacking backpack.  No dictionary.  Could I believe the "news"?  Aphids.

  Letters.  Wish u were here! 1970's Florida.  Use your education.  Life on the Mississippi worked for me.

  A magazine article.  Lix, Courtney.  "Anne Davis:. Dreamer.  Questioner.  Doer."