Not Coming Back

Fiction by Luke O'Neil

For you

On your timeline it’s still the second inning of a game your favorite team lost last night. 

Activists are protesting the coming execution of a dead man the governor declined to pardon. 

On your timeline it’s still Halloween and all the skeletons and princesses are giddy with childish gluttony. 

There’s a beautiful beach town unbothered by a looming storm. 

No cars stacked atop of one another like felled dominoes. 

Nothing has happened anywhere.

On your timeline a friend still has last week’s smile on in a selfie she felt insecure about. 

A movie no one went to see is about to premiere.