SHARED HALLUCINATION

      Artwork by Jean Delville        Waking up earlier than planned, I decided to take a walk and do some unnecessary shopping. The skies  were blue and the weather was surprisingly warm for early winter. After picking up some overpriced,  blood red lipstick at a boutique, I'd found a tiny park and sat on a bench to watch a young hippy guy make  giant bubbles with soapy water. When he blew smoke into them they garnered a colorful sheen, like an oil  slick in the rain, and I cursed myself for not having brought my camera. The nice weather seemed to bring  the best out in people who smiled and said hello as they passed by with their dogs.       Deciding to wander further, I spied a new agency on the corner of an unfamiliar street. Inside, next to  the door, was a stack of the latest edition of The Reader waiting to be unbundled. The guy behind the  counter noticed me staring at them and came ov...

  Artwork by Jean Delville           My black motorcycle boots scuffed against the pavement as I rushed up the street. After tossing and  turning most of the night, I hadn't woken up early as planned. Instead, I'd hauled ass to shower and apply  war paint to make the noon appointment Lars had set. At least he'd chosen a nearby café, which was a  small blessing. Catching my reflection in a storefront window, I smiled. In my heavy, black coat, and the  black, hand-me-down dress from Stephanie that fit me to a tee, paired with black tights which hid my  scraped knees, I looked kind of old school tough. But, I didn't feel tough. No amount of fashion or war  paint would dislodge the knot of anxiety firmly embedded within my stomach.      Lars was all smiles and full of Dutch charm when he arrived with Haiden in tow. He kissed me on both  cheeks, while Haiden glowered. Without giving Haiden a second glance, I...