he was wearing a ratty white t-shirt and khaki shorts. i didn't much notice his face, just his voice. "car wash, miss?" he asked. "maybe on my way back," i said. "how about a donation? our friend just died." the sign he was carrying resembled the spray paint on the walls in town. the other night there were helicopters overhead and gunshots in the distance. i dug through my wallet and handed him a $5.

--stoplight at sunset & fountain