shimmer as the bubbles popped. Gene picked up one of the glasses and gulped it half down. The singers started singing again and didn't stop for about twenty minutes. They were good, though, and Tirza liked hearing them. They got up from their stools and took a couple of bows and walked off the stage. The audience clapped wildly and started drinking. "Let's go outside for a while," said Gene. "The next show isn't until twelve-thirty." "O.K.," she said and stood up. They weaved between the tables and walked up the stairs. The wooden door creaked as Gene pushed it open. Tirza took a deep breath, The crisp air seemed to blow inside her, and she shivered. They walked across the street and went into the trees. Tirza put her arm around Gene's waist and laid her hand on his hip. Everything was quiet. The twigs cracked as they stepped on them, and birds flapped somewhere above them. They walked until the grass brushed their ankles. They squatted in the grass. They could smell the pine. Gene lit a cigarette and took off his glasses. He lay back in the tall grass. The dew splashed on his face as he flipped the skinny spears. He touched Tirza's shoulder, and she lay beside him. He blew the smoke and turned to look at her. She looked back. He smashed the cigarette in the dirt beside her. He moved his arm across her stomach. His hand rubbed it and her hips, then moved on her ribs. She gritted her teeth. "Relax," he whispered, as his body slid across the grass and touched hers. He leaned over and laid his lips on hers. They tasted of beer, but they sent heat flushing into her cheeks. His lips were soft and full. She slid her arm around him and moved her hand on his back. He lifted his head and looked down at her. She touched his cheek with her hand. He leaned down and kissed her again. She could feel her cheeks getting warmer. He kissed her neck and rubbed her body with his hands. She rubbed her hand on his back. His muscles tensed, and she pushed hard to feel them. She moved closer to him until she felt like she was part of him. His shoulders lay across her, and she could feel him breathe. Her breath slowed down and pumped her chest. She felt his hot breath as he kissed her neck. His hand slid down to her waist. He moved it, untucking her blouse. Her blouse wrinkled and gathered in folds. His hand rubbed her bare back. She gurgled deep in her throat. His cold hand slid up her back, She froze and stiffened. He lifted his head. He turned over on his back and stared at the black sky. Tirza flipped over on her stomach and put her head in the crook of her arm. They lay quiet, hearing only each other's breathing, smelling each other's sweat, and tasting each other's mouths. Tears flooded into Tirza's eyes and dripped on her arm. She sniffed to keep her nose from running. Gene looked over at her. "Oh, God, don't cry," he muttered. "You're still a virgin." Tirza didn't say anything. Gene reached in his pocket and took out 12 the cigarettes He struck a match and lit it, blowing out the smoke in big puffs. He smoked the cigarette and lit another one. "Do you want my handkerchief?" he asked, reaching in his pocket. She didn't say anything. "Oh hell, I didn't hurt you," he sputtered and crushed the cigarette in the dirt. She watched the burned ashes flake and drift into the air. "Do you want to go back to Sun Valley?" he said and sat up. His hand reached out to touch her, but he jerked it back. He reached in his pocket and pulled out a cigarette. He stuck it in his mouth and struck a match. He looked down at her. The air stirred and snuffed out the match. He grabbed the cigarette out of his mouth and threw it into the trees. "Look at me, damn it!" he shouted and slid next to her. "Tirza," he said and lifted her shoulders. She pulled away, but he grabbed her and jerked her into his arms. He cradled her until she didn't fight him. She laid her head against his chest and cried. Tears soaked through his shirt and touched his skin. "I'm sorry," he whispered in her hair, "I thought you wanted it." "I did," she cried. "I did." "We'll probably never see each other after next week." "I know, but I'll remember you," she whispered. "And I want you to remember me. Not for my ability to make love but for me." She looked down. "Not for now, but always." He slid his hand up to her neck. He leaned down and kissed her wet cheek. "Let's go back," he said, helping her up. They stood for a moment and looked at each other. He bent down and picked up his glasses. He slid them across his nose and hooked them on his ears. He laid his arm across her shoulders. They walked through the trees. His arm molded her shoulder tightly against him. She could smell the stale smoke in his shirt. They stepped on the twigs and heard them break. Tirza put her arm around his waist and hugged his hip. They crossed the street and went into the Espresso. by Marilyn Taylor Haiku by Gordon Sorenson A lonely owl boots, Waking crickets into song Beneath my window. 13