Flames crack over
oak logs in the
office fireplace.
We wrapped up
the holidays
and painted the white
walls maroon
with brown trim.
We hung framed
art and company
awards.
Soft, white flakes
cover the sidewalks,
roofs, lawns,
fences, and streets.
Soft pop plays
on the radio
when she walked
through the door.
Her sparkling green
eyes don’t ring a bell.
Her plump red lips
ask for a kiss.
She removes her scarf,
and a crush bubbles
to the surface.
She brushes the snow
from her bangs,
which she tucks
back behind her ear.
Stomps her boots
on the mat.
She looks around
like she has someone
to see.
She asks if someone
could help her.
I waved her over.
Our eyes meet.
She couldn’t have
been five years
(give or take)
older than me.
I couldn’t take
my eyes off her
infectious grin.
It made me smile.
She bats her lashes
over her green eyes.
The scent of Polo
lingers on her
sun-kissed skin.
A large woman
bumped in front
of the cute woman.
She demands I help
her at once.
My eye candy
went to the
associate next to me.
With one hand,
the fat woman
slaps the table
and moves her sleeve
across her lips with
her other.
She asks me for help again.
I tell her it’ll be a minute.
I sweep my eyes
over the cute woman
and the woman
winks at me.
She tells me her
name is Karen,
because, of course,
it is.
I help her cash a check.
I look over
for the woman
But she left
as soon as she came
in.
Thanks, Karen.
My co-worker passes
me the phone number
of the cute woman,
who appreciated how
kind I was to Karen,
her sister.
Thanks, Karen.
It was a test
to see whether
I’d help Karen
or shrug her off
for the cute woman.
Thanks, Karen!
in Lubbock, TX.