Comfortable Madness First PDF 4-13-18

The Object of Envy
Ravens rose on broad black wings into a porcelain sky.
Starlings moved in mobs, black specks swirling around like fish. I
stood in the muddy path outside the Shack smoking a cigarette. A
wet wind promised rain later.
“Hey,” Tad said.
I jumped and spun. He backed away, hands up.
“Sorry,” he said.
I blinked and all the edges came back. Things went from a
mass of colored fields to individual buildings and trees. Grass
spread out sharp and sparkling in shafts of sunlight.
“What’re you doing?” Tad asked.
“Watching the dance.”
A frown formed between his brows but then he looked up.
The starlings rippled there and Tad smiled, getting it.
“Cool,” he said.
He went in and brought out a couple of lawn chairs.
“Is there music?” he asked.
For a moment, I thought he was mocking me, but when I
turned to snap at him, his empty face stopped me.
“Sometimes,” I said. “Mostly colors.”
I felt his eyes wash over me and I chose to ignore it.
“Tell me,” he said.
Something went through me. It was kind of warm and soft.
“Pink streamers,” I said. “Piercing green strings. You don’t
see it?”
He shook his head. A sadness bubbled out of my gut.
“I wish I didn’t,” I said.
He took my hand.
“Why?”