“Just Once”

If I were to change the title of “This is What it Means to Say Pheonix, Arizona” I’d take the last line between Victor and Thomas: “Just Once.” I like titles that are either cliff hangers. The phrase can be interpreted in different ways by the reader.

First, the new title will provide a sense of mystery. Does Victor want something or does Thomas? What is Thomas’ reason for providing money and not asking much in return? Perhaps the reader would view Thomas as suspicious. We’d see Thomas through Victor’s perspective better.

Next, the title could be a reference to a past memory leaving the reader to constantly search for an answer. Once Victor and Thomas hung out with each other. Was there one moment in their lives that broke them apart? Maybe the answer was when Victor beat up Thomas: the “just once” incident.

The constant engagement from the reader would be great for the moral of the story: to take care of each other (specifically through listening to one another). There isn’t a backhanded motive but a wholesome request.