Her mother's boyfriend
moved in.
I hated the way
he watched her,
as though watching
a woman on a TV commercial.
My friend would dismiss it,
it was what men were
she said.
Her mother was tired,
selling houses,
wearing high heels,
getting dinner
early when
the air in their kitchen
was so tight.
We laughed so hard
in her bedroom
she peed on the floor.
We looked
at each other
hanging off her bed,
her exaggerated smile
greedy for the safety
I offered
in tiny doses.
moved in.
I hated the way
he watched her,
as though watching
a woman on a TV commercial.
My friend would dismiss it,
it was what men were
she said.
Her mother was tired,
selling houses,
wearing high heels,
getting dinner
early when
the air in their kitchen
was so tight.
We laughed so hard
in her bedroom
she peed on the floor.
We looked
at each other
hanging off her bed,
her exaggerated smile
greedy for the safety
I offered
in tiny doses.
About the Author
