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The Light From A Sports Bar A Thousand Miles Away


by Sally Reno


 

Saturday afternoon, Michaelji calls from Gainesville. It's very loud all around him.

I can't hear him clearly. I ask,

  “Where are you?”

He says he's in a sports bar, about to watch a prize fight. I add this up: Michael has had no drink, no cigarette, no illicit drug and very little illicit sex since September 14, 1989.

  “You're where?” I ask. It seems so incongruous.

  “I'm in hell,” it seems that he says, “hoping that you might want to join me here.”

  “I'm on the balcony,” I say. “I could jump and be there with you shortly.”  He sighs,

  “That would be very nice.”  He says this very sweetly. And I can hear him clearly now.                                                                                                                                                          

 

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