Glass Read Online Free PDF Page A

hurt,
    having not been emptied
    in so many hours. They’re
    hard as stones and leaking
    a little. Another twinge
    of guilt. No more
    breast milk for Hunter.
    Trey hands me a scrap of paper.
    Here’s my number, and give
    me yours, too, okay?
    In case you forget to call.
    His hand brushes mine
    like a summer kiss. Heightened
    by the meth spinning circles
    in my brain, his simple touch—
    not to mention his request—
    sparks shivers, thigh to neck.
    But it is time to go. I spent
    my motel money, and anyway,
    I’m much too buzzed
    to sleep. Might as well drive
    on home. Three hours will
    go by like nothing, this buzzed.
    “Thanks for everything, Robyn.
    Awesome meeting you, Trey.
    Hope to see you again soon.”
    Real, real soon.

I Start to Leave
    Reconsider, knowing I’ll
    want to stop for a small
    pick-me-up along
    the long road home.
    “Oh, hey. Can you spare
    a piece of tinfoil and
    maybe a straw? I’ve got
    zip for paraphernalia.
    Let’s make you a pipe, Trey
    tells me. How about a light
    bulb, Robyn? She obliges,
    and in a matter of minutes,
    Trey turns it into a smoking
    device. Be careful. It will get
    really hot. Oh, and you’ll
    probably need this, too.
    He reaches into his pocket,
    extracts a lighter. Now just
    drop a rock, right in here….
    He demonstrates with one
    of Robyn’s. Hold the lighter
    right about here…. A thin
    plume of smoke lifts, and
    Trey is quick to inhale.
    As Robyn and I help him
    finish it, Trey says, So,
    Kristina, next time
    you’re up for the score,
    call me. This shit travels
    the US-95 corridor up from
    Mexico. My connection lives
    near Reno. Ironic, huh?
    No wonder Trey gets
    to Reno sometimes.
    Ironic barely covers
    it. But hey, next time
    I won’t have to drive
    all the way to Stockton.
    (Let alone have to deal
    with Robyn’s evil eye.)
    “That’s good to know,
    Trey,” says Kristina.
    Then Bree takes over.
    “Next time you come
    over the mountain, be
    sure to give mea call.
    I’ll pay you back the
    hundred. And if you talk
    real nice, I just might
    add a little interest.”
    Holy crap. Team Bree
    with the monster, you
    never know what you
    might get. But Trey
    laughs. And just what
    do you have in mind?
    This is Bree’s game. So
    why does she disappear
    now? I shrug. “For me to
    know and you to find out.”
    Guess I’ll have to make
    it soon, then. The curiosity
    might do me in. He wraps
    the hot bulb in a napkin,
    walks me to the door, bends
    to bring his lips close to my
    ear. Careful driving home. I
    want you all in one piece.

H e Wants Me
    All in one piece.
    But does that mean
    he wants me?
    I take the stairs slowly,
    head turning cartwheels.
    It’s been so long
    since anyone has
    wanted me.
    At the bottom of the stairs,
    I turn to look over my shoulder.
    I want to believe
    that he wants me.
    But it’s impossible.
    Trey’s backlit silhouette
    is still in the doorway.
    Maybe it isn’t
    impossible. Only
    highly unlikely.
    He raises a hand, waves
    a good-bye. Closes the door.
    I never used to
    second-guess
    myself. What’s up?
    The porch light winks out.
    Is Trey staying the night?
    Well, of course he is.
    Why do you think
    Robyn wanted you gone?
    Jealousy wells up inside.
    I want him to stay with me.
    Wanting and getting
    are two totally
    different things.
    I want him to take me in
    his arms and kiss me.
    Why must I torture
    myself? He’s with
    Robyn. Right now.
    I want him to touch
    me all over my body.
    Cut it out, Kristina.
    You’re just making
    things worse.
    I want him to tell me
    he needs me. Loves me.
    What am I thinking?
    I don’t want
    that at all.
    Yes I do want that.
    I want to be in love.
    Stop it! Don’t you
    know talking to yourself
    is a sign of insanity?

I t Is a Clear
    Not quite warm
    September night,
    the obsidian sky
    brimming
    with stars. An orange
    harvest moon lights
    the semideserted
    highway, and my
    confidence
    in my ability to
    reach home, all in
    one piece, grows with
    every mile left
    dissolved
    in my wake. I am
    wide