We weaved down the block. I thought I’d lost my keys. I checked every pocket twice. Jake giggled. The third time round, I found them. In the first pocket I’d checked. Jake giggled some more. It took me five tries to get the key in the lock. When I finally succeeded, I looked around. To see if my new best friend wanted to come in for a nightcap.
He wasn’t there.
I was puzzled.
The dope, I mused. It slows down time. I’d probably been fiddling with the keys for ten minutes. He’d wandered off.
I shrugged.
I opened the door as quietly as I could.
I stumbled. I hung on to the banister. I kept myself upright.
Melissa sat up on the couch.
Who’s there? she said.
Sorry, I said, it’s me.
Come here, she said.
I staggered to the couch, fell down into the cushions.
She opened her arms.
My God, I thought, what’s happening?
I kept falling.