Antecedent

by Susan Stumpf

I felt something on my face, what was it? I kept trying to swat the thing away and look past it but I couldn't. I was looking for someone but I couldn't see. Who was I looking for? "Bo." I jerked and sat up as I said it. Brian sat next to me laughing hysterically. He had my scarf in his hand. It took me a moment to realize what had happened. I fell asleep on the drive home and instead of simply waking me up when we got to my place, Brian was tickling my face with the end of my scarf.

  "You're a jerk," I said grabbing my scarf from him.

  "Who's Bo? Hmmm? Is that who's been ripping your clothes off?" he joked.

  "You're a jerk." I repeated and got out of the car.

  "Ok ok, we don't have to talk about your boyfriend," he said following me to the front door.

  "I'm going to bed," I stated, cutting off any assumed invitation for him to come inside.

  "Oh come on, Em, don't be mad."

  "I'm not mad, I'm tired."

  "Well, are you ok after what happened tonight? Do you want me to stay with you?"

  "No, I'm fine, thanks. I just want to go to bed."

  "Alright,' he said. "Well, thanks for trying to save my life." He hugged me.

  "?and thanks for trying to save mine." I hugged him back and went inside.

  Bo, of course, was inside waiting for me.