His Number

     I had his number even before he walked through thedoor. 


      It was a big "O", roughly the shape of the hole in my jacket sleeve and the sizeof his head.


     The jacket is an old blue wax coat I'm very fond of, and despite its tearsand prickmarks, I don't wish to discard it because it holds memories. 


     Zero is neither positive nor negative, but O trended Hellward (sharply).