Bleeding from the lip after being punched in the mouth I go talk to my financial advisor. That’s going to cost you, he says. We look at the spreadsheets. Up is good news and down is bad. “Let’s leave money out of this,” I say. Then we count up all my good deeds and all my bad deeds and thank god they cancel each other out. Even Steven. Just then my lip starts to scab. Just then my entomologist calls. She has good news about the beetle population. Thriving is what she says. “It’s going to be a good year for the little things,” is what I text my wife. At lunch my financial advisor and I cheer ourselves up with Paella, saganaki, big legs of lamb, wine, fruit pies. We can’t stop ourselves. When it’s time to pay the bill we ask the owner to start a tab. Our credit is wonderful, we explain. Outside, it’s a beautiful day. All the robins are laying their eggs. It’s a good day to be with a good friend. “That shade of blue can change your life,” I say to my friend, “if you let it.”
