her house had that spot br br the spot where generations of kids have stood and measured br their height with a pencilmark and initials. br br you can see where some of the young boys br used their pocketknives br instead of pencils. br br the farther back in time you look, br the more fingerprinted and oily the wood was. br paint worn thin. br br br Janet ‘79 br br Rick ‘62 br br Mary ‘37 br br I thought it was kind of like looking at stars. br really big stars, br you know, supernovas. br ones that have been dead for years, but br will still send lightsignals until br time catches up br or br the wall is painted over. br br oh, look. br there’s my lovergirl’s name. br in iridescent blue marker. br br wow. she was relatively tall br for her age, at 7. br br and while she’s in her room getting her coat, br I see her height at present day, br and right where I know her forehead would be, br I lean in and touch a kiss br to the dirty, br smeared wall.