KEVIN STANIEC DOT COM

Jaime and our final weeks of summer before freshman orientation. Riding bikes in an empty parking lot behind the Catholic Church. Heaven Help by Lenny Kravitz. Babysitting her little brother while their parents were at work. Chasing one another around the house. Lying on the trampoline in the backyard, searching for clouds through trees. That one kiss.

I am attempting to reinvent the wheel. In doing so, before rebuilding, I must deconstruct its design. The purpose of my wheel will remain the same but will indelibly be defined as both useless and essential at the same time.

Relaxed with my hat resting over these eyes, ankles crossed, hands behind my head, floating in a glass bottom boat through cumulus clouds, chasing shade and shadows while wistfully whistling “Cattle Call”.

The way she held her laundry basket when hanging clothes over the line. Fingers wrapping round handles edge, pressing its opposite end under her arm between hip and rib. Always wearing her favorite Sunday dress, which rests high upon her thigh as she lifts her leg to support the bottom of the bundle. Tying her hair back with a rubber band from the morning paper she takes a deep breath. Wiping her brow with a brush of the forearm before beginning a second load.

I had deleted her name from my phone but reluctantly remembered her number. I surreptitiously sent a text before the wedding. It said, “I still love you”. She would never respond.

Five friends wearing tuxedos, sitting in a parked limousine, sipping on grape drink, listening to Bon Jovi.

My awkward attempt at salsa with the prettiest girl in the room while watching the slow step of my feet instead of staring into her eyes.

A quick tip in dancing from the ‘Best Man’. Request any song performed by Prince. Find a corner of the floor along the wall near a strobe light (fog machine optional). Proceed to shadow box to the beat with an intermittent jump kick or impromptu knee spin for superfluous punctuation.

I occasionally call irrelevant help hotlines to gather information regarding geographical genetics. I find it comforting to converse with consumer services concerning climate trends, even if it isn’t their area of expertise. The concept of complimentary support is like the better business bureau, only better. Strangers paid to pay attention to me.