We Are the Ants

by Shaun David Hutchinson

Maybe that’s why you’re perfect for each other.” “Do you think it could last?” “Who cares?” “I care.” Audrey sucked up her drink and tossed the empty cup onto the ground. There was no way we were going to be able to hide the fact that we’d had a party from Mom. Fuck it. “You like bacon, right?” Audrey asked. “Duh.” “So, when you’re offered bacon for breakfast, do you refuse because you’re worried about what’s going to happen when it’s gone?” “No.” “No!” Audrey smacked me in the chest. “You eat that bacon and you love it because it’s delicious. You don’t fret over whether you’ll ever have bacon again. You just eat the bacon.” Audrey stood in front of me and held my face between her hands. Her expression was so solemn that it was difficult not to laugh. “Eat the bacon, Henry.” A roar erupted from Charlie and his friends. Audrey and I turned in time to watch a plume of fire and sparks shoot into the air and explode like a supernova. Diego winked at me from across the lawn. “I’m assuming Diego is the bacon in that analogy.” “I need another drink.”