I picked her up at the appointed place, the little reject from the Fourth World, pretty and occasionally simpering. We drove to the appointed place staring at the clouds and the outlines of the Los Angeles skyline.

We parked and looked around she nudged me an murmured that everything looked like it had been painted with rust. The air was hot and pressed on us. It was very dirty and sucked up any moisture it encountered. She quietly noted she had never seen the city like this.

To the west the horizon broiled a golden red as the clouds of ash and smoke refused to go anywhere. I told her in most places, Summer ends by whimpering and picking up its ball and going home. She laughed and said in California, Summer ends by picking up its truncheon and beating you repeatedly so that you only come to once it's raining again.

I told her a wished that I had a camera, she shrugged and told me I had her. I nodded. It was true. We wondered out loud what the sea must look like torn between the hues of water and fire.

I organized my bills and set to paying them, ignoring her penchant for tickling me. The boy came over and she stood behind me, peeking over my sholder.

We went to dinner at The Hillmont. A very nice place with a strong favoring of meat. The owner is Maynard James Keenan, the lead singer for the band Tool and A Perfect Circle. She admired the simplicity of the place, sparce decor and sturdy, communal tables. When the boy pointed out the front at a bald man we both looked and caught our breaths. She believed it was him at once but I took more convincing. Maynard's party sat next to us, himself taking a seat next to the boy. Another bald man joined them and we quietly noted it was Billy Howerdell, the other founder of A Perfect Circle.

She grinned wildly into her sausage while I allowed myself a small smile hidden behind a cup of coffee. We quietly eavesdropped until the food was gone. Then we paid the bill and vacated.

The conversation thereafter began to eclipse her until I noticed her shrinking back. I took her by the hand and smoothed her hair. She smiled and sat down and nodded to the Boy, giving me a slight push.

I gave into the warmth and a full belly and ended the night with some exceptionally good sex.