this song ripped open a small hole in the fabric of spacetime, and I become the astronaut, traveling back to the comfort of my high school lover’s arms, grasping the watch with our favorite song’s lyrics etched into the back (Home, by the same)

I am safe there, she is safe there, and the world has only left a few oily finger prints on our bodies.

The band is still together in this part of the universe. The lead singer hasn’t yet fallen in love with another band member.

I remember listening to this song as I drove to her house in a suit and tie. The occasion was my grandmom’s funeral. I was clean shaven, baby faced.

And we walked, in the sunshine filled cold, in that suit and she took a photo of me. And we sat in her basement. And we pretended to know something.

And the song ended.