CHECKED-OUT

CHRISTOPHER MCDANIEL FOR LAYNE STALEY Checked-Out

The flies found me first still looking found. In the dark corner, static’s on the TV and one seat left next to me, the speaker screeching don’t miss the best part! I’ve seen it before a million times, I still crack up; the junkie brave to ride off with everything, rotting at home for a spell––until the cops come looking for reasons why and a buzzard-filled sky.

OPPOSITE ILLUSTRATION BY JANA CHOI