Romantic Exchanges

In the Palace of Time

Then midnight rolls around, fogged out, with low clouds scudding overhead. At the corner store, adjacent the cemetery, antique hotdogs glisten on their stainless-steel rollers. Overhead fluorescents shimmer pale in greasy reflection. I take a hotdog from the case and apply my condiments of choice, mustard and sauerkraut, to promote good breath, ease nig…