10:02 AM, two minutes late.
10:14 AM, hmmm, well, she was also late saturday. but she showed.
10:22 AM, i hear a noise outside, a false alarm. the driveway hugs nothing.
10:32 AM, are you close, i text? i feel feline asking. a ball of unadulterated string grins, unloved.
10:41 AM, typical, i mutter to my favored windowpane. the one that helps keep me honest.
10:48 AM, 10:47 AM jammed a thumb in my eye; blurry, I see 10:49 AM on its belly in the tall grass preparing to bushwhack me.
10: 53 AM, i am done waiting. i notice low clouds clogging the tenuous sky. the windowpane winks, affirms.
10:56 AM, the missive is sent: i need to count on you being here when i need you, as we agreed. this is not going to work out for me, either of us. i add "thank you" at the end. i have no understanding of why.
11:02 AM, i take the dog for a walk. it’s all I can do. we elude the rain, but i do find the mud.
12:32 AM, i share my woe with a few friends.
12:49 PM, she never showed?
1:19 PM, nope, nothing.
2:18 PM, crazy, stupid girl. what are you doing to do?
3:49 PM, no idea; she's dead to me.
10:42 PM, it’s me. i am so embarrassed. my phone was updating, my alarm didn’t go off, and i overslept. i’ve been trying to do better. i was scared to text you back. i think you're fantastic.
5:12 AM, i know she is lying. her story doesn’t add up. i need more robust coffee.
549 AM, well, it’s possible her phone was updating, i guess. it happens…
6:02 AM, i consider her piercing green eyes.
6:11 AM, what do you think? the windowpane shrugs as if to respond, “you’re on your own on this one.”
6:19 AM, i contemplate the flaming heart tattoo on her hip.
7:18 AM, will i?