It was a gray morning. A blank canvas stumbled over.

Had her hips swung on an axis?

What does it matter, they're gone, along with the cacophony that went with the movement that brought on the twitch. The twitch being the signal for the finale to the act.

I had things to do, maybe I'd play that mind movie again later.

With time all the fine details had been edited out. How had we gotten there? How did she know what I liked and how to do it?

With time I had forgotten she was a bitch. No, I hadn't forgotten. I knew, intellectually. But the emotion attached to these thoughts were gone. Thoughts with no feelings, ghost thoughts.

It was almost like only recalling the good. She went in the opposite direction. My horn playing which gave her nightmares, my moods, the tip change stolen out of the brandy snifter while she showered. I was still the bastard, living somewhere in her past, ever ready to attack.

I should practice.

In the past, when she was still here, I had to run to The Hula's for my medicine. It took time away from other things.

I should practice.

She always knew. I could have just smoked at home, but then again I didn't want my sheets smelling like that.

Besides, since she didn't actually see me, didn't catch me red handed, I could drive her crazy. After one of her tirades, when she finally ran out of steam, cocking my head to the side and flatly asking:

"Did I?"

The last time. She was working a double shift. There were things I was supposed to do, but The Hula offered to make me lunch when we were done.

The Hula had a boyfriend, I don't know what the hell she needed me around for. I think she didn't like to smoke alone.

I sat on the couch. As an amusement I wanted to see how long I could let the ash grow before it fell. The Hula was beside me, eyes shut, head back.

As to prevent my movement from wrecking it, I slowly looked down at my hand after the plume walked away.

The ash was rather long now. A thin gray column.

I blinked.

No, even though she had a double shift, it was her.

Arms tightly by her side, a little thinner than usual, it was her. All done up in speckled gray. I couldn't move for fear of her dropping off and losing what ever knowledge she may have to give.

I sat there staring at my hand. I won the staring contest, she didn't look happy. With a mouthful of ash, it took her some time to form what had to be said.

Having fallen asleep for a minute The Hula suddenly sat up.

The ash-she fell. On the coffee table she now lay horizontally.

Not giving it a second thought, The Hula leaned forward and blew hard.

I began to shake. The Hula looked at me with a smile

"Come here."

Her mouth covered mine as arms encircled me.

I should practice.

I always play better when it rains, it helps my timing.

I should hurry before it stops.