HALFWAY UP THE PATH he meets someone. By the time they reach the scenic overlook, secrets are shared and promises made. When they climb the safety rail and jump, each body falls with the effortless speed of gravity. The ground catches them whole and throws them back. They rise up from the city street, up and over the railing, square to the exact spot that held them just moments ago. Finding each other's eyes, they nod and look across the valley. Haze slips from the palm trees to gather around smidges of color—white buildings, red cars, pink people. The sky is soft and spread and outrageous. It is a scene full of activity, but from this height nothing seems to move. They climb the rail again and hold hands. They jump, and this time the ground rises up like a blank slate to meet them.

Alan sips his coffee and says, "I was stuck in traffic for hours."


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