to meet you. I’ve heard
 
 a lot about you. You were
 
 a hard act to follow.
 
 Chase told her about me?
 
 Yes, I guess that’s like
 
 him. Honest till it hurts.
 
 I don’t know what to say
 
 except, “Home for a visit?”
 
 Chase nods. We eloped,
 
 so my mom hadn’t met
 
 Amanda yet. Thought
 
 we should fix that
 
 before the baby’s born.
 
 We make small talk
 
 for a few minutes, my
 
 end of the conversation
 
 minuscule, compared
 
 to all of Chase’s news.
 
 Finally he decides,
 
 It’s pretty late. We’d
 
 better go before Mom
 
 decides we skipped
 
 town. Take care.
 
 “You too. And let me
 
 know when the baby
 
 comes, okay?” I watch
 
 them walk hip-to-hip
 
 down the street. And
 
 despite all the people—
 
 bodies, faces—swarming