The blinds were closed and thus the encroaching sun couldn�t enter the room.
Chris lay on his back, his t-shirt pulled up to his shoulders, belly exposed.
The top button on his jeans was undone.
He was hot and sticky.
The air conditioner had turned off an hour ago and there was no relief in sight.
He was waiting.
His hands were red and calloused.
He held them up and angled them towards the thin streams of light that made it through the blinds.
He could see his veins, his arteries.
The blood pumping through them.
This fascinated him.
He was wondering.
There was a radio on somewhere in the next room.
He could just pick out certain words, here and there.
But it was too confusing after awhile, so he stopped listening.
He was wishing.
Something would have to change soon.
He couldn�t stand being the only one who knew about this.
He was weary.
He heard the key in the door and then the turning of the doorknob.
Someone came into the room.
Chris recognized the scent immediately.
They came over to the bed and stared down at Chris.
He gave a wan smile in return and they just shrugged.
Chris closed his eyes and waited for whatever came next.
The one whose scent he would know anywhere climbed onto the bed and placed their hand on Chris�s stomach.
Light still battled to enter the room, but Chris didn�t mind.
He was content.