Pillow Book

(On the back of a flattened, empty box of shells.)





Firefight. Race against
Time. You're steady at my back.
Breathe deep. Reload. Go.

(Found on a piece of paper tucked under his cheek when Sam woke up the next morning, a blanket over his shoulders. The ink stained his cheek; he could read fragments of backward words in the bathroom mirror.)





You stress too much, Sam -
Homework back then, research now.
Push yourself too hard.

Working through the night.
Passed out, head on the table.
Think I'll let you rest.

Straight As then. No need
To stress now. I trust you to
Find a way, Sam. Sleep.

(Written on the back of a room receipt from a motel where the only bed left was a single. The rest of the motel was booked out by a conference on 'Sex Over Sixty'.)





Motel bed: too small
Even for one.
Somehow just
Right for
Two.




Here

Here

(Written on notepaper from the same motel.)




Daylight shines through thin
Curtains. Collapse on the bed.
Pressed close to fit. Sleep.



Here

Here

(Written on a piece torn from the flimsy disposable shower mat provided with the free toiletries, and tucked into Dean's shaving kit.)




Motel shower: no
Walls. You crowd close and water
Splashes everywhere.