1055

Steven stomps his feet
tells Beth
about all his girlfriend’s
new tricks
the way she tastes
in the morning
and later

Beth rolls her eyes

I hear about it over coffee

there’s some strange lust
or lust for a stranger
or maybe
lust for the stories
whispered in the afternoon
while the table over
avoids eye contact

yes
maybe that’s it

Beth calls me
mind you
this is years later
and invites me to a house
down the road for drinks

I ask
how’s Steven
she says
they don’t talk anymore
but he’s doing well
broke up with his long term
girlfriend
what a pity
I say

I stay at home
masturbate with the evening
news in the background
and call her back
the next day
say I was sick
hope Steven is doing well