Published in Blood & Bourbon Issue #13

If I’m being honest
which you know I am

none of us expected
you to walk in

dripping from the rain and
drenched to the skin

ripping off your coat and
looking too thin

sitting on a stool and
closing your eyes

having no idea
we were nearby

ordering a drink and
swirling the glass

nodding at the server
when she walked past

listening to chatter
watching the game

bristling when someone
shouted my name

turning just in time to
rid any doubt

staring in despondence
as I walked out