The visible part of the body sways in the breeze in the wind I play with its shifting gauze. It has deep empty pockets the size is perfect for holding a 20 oz. cup of soda the cup of soda slides in snug to the brim I take out the straw it makes a sound like shiiick and drag my tongue across the straw the soda is limey I say to the body isn’t that tasty so sweet like you. The body smiles an agreement and the gauze nods and blinks once, for yes.
I like about the body the sound it makes like jangling keys. I use the body to unlock someone else’s car and we drive away I am in the driver’s seat the body is next to me. The body is humming sweetly we stop at the traffic lights and the body has something it needs to tell me. I’m leaving my wife for you says the body. I’m ready I say.
I am in love with the body we decide to meet at the train station in the sun we must be careful I am fresh and dressed well. The body has slender fins they shimmer in the daylight I want to kiss them I am dismayed I look at the body its gauze burned pink I say oh dear you’ve got a sunburn yes the gauze is hot and fevered the body looks away there are people coming out of the train. The body is tired and pulls its gauze close we go to the chemist get something soothing for the burn.
In secret I meet the body at the movie theatre we buy tickets we sit in the back row I whisper hello my darling the body and I are on the run the police are looking for us we stole a car we meet seldom and leave no tracks. I am happy I slip my hand in to the body’s pockets I love the warmth and earthy texture the body has brought wildflowers for me sewn into its gauze I unpick the clean stitches thank you I whisper to the body.
The body is beside me in the light I stroke its delicate fins so bony my heart is in my throat I say you’ve lost weight so gaunt don’t do this to yourself. I tell the body go home to your wife this is no life for you. You are everything to me the body says back I can’t leave you. I am sad and disagree after I will take the body home to its wife and children.
