Everyone is having babies. I'm surrounded by them, their taught, rounded tummies, babies tumbling inside. The babies nestle in slings, at the campground, in the restaurant. They pull out their breasts to feed, and I keep my eyes on my salad. You'll have this one day, sooner than you think, Shannon. The office lady tells me, her own ovaries aching at the mention of Bill's new daughter, born fresh yesterday morning. I shrug.

I've slept a lot this summer. Waking up, sleeping for an extra hour, even though I should be taking advantage of the long days. Should be. I dream in that last hour - thick, heady dreams, of people from lost years, of people not hiding from their feelings. My head resting on Geoff's thin chest, him kissing my head over and over, I have loved you for so long.

And then I met Amanda, in real life. The first woman that I've met that I instantly loved. I borrowed a book from her shelf, hoping to have reason to see her again. I need a friend, a friend like her. Soft, and slightly troubled, but in the end so much like me, or maybe more truthfully, she mirrors me, reflects my inside on her outside. Because I'm not that beautiful. Outside.