On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous

Little Dog returns to Harford from New York on a train for Trevor’s wake. Trevor wrecked his truck and died. Little Dog texts him, then turns off his phone, afraid he will answer. It is five years and three months since they met. Little Dog was in an Italian American literature class at a Brooklyn community college when he found out through a Facebook post from Trevor’s dad.

Little Dog remembers when they parted. They met at a diner for waffles. Trevor wanted him to stay but wished him luck in New York. Little Dog noticed that Trevor was high; he also noticed the bruises left by hypodermic needles along his arms. Because so many of their friends overdosed on opioids, they always say “Hello” to each other when they part.

Instead of going to Trevor’s father’s place, he goes to his mom’s. Rose is asleep on a mat on the floor: her back hurts too much from her nail salon job to sleep on the bed. He lies down next to her, startling her. When she asks what is wrong, he says “I hate him, Ma” in English so she cannot understand (171).