She pushed in the knob and turned up the volume. 

Her heart recognized the first sound and

latched on before her ears caught up. 

In that moment,

in that space of pure recognition

without name or words,

a meteor fell from the sky

and landed in the pit of her stomach. 

She picked it up and held the meteorite in her fingers. 

It was a mass of memories and associations,

people and feelings. 

She held in her hand the pure energy

of love, friendship,

beauty, and sadness. 

She held August fires and autumn sunsets,

bright stars, used cars, and the smell of rain-kissed leaves,

pain, and absolute happiness. 

She put the meteorite in her mouth and swallowed it,

and then,

she sang along.