the first date

we were the only ones in Ben's that night,

the warm lamps painted everything in a dull orange light,

their box-dyed hair and silver chains

sparkling: they're so cool, I thought

as I tapped my fingers on the hot porcelain,

the cocoa rose and filled my nose with

thoughts of christmas

our voices overlaid the distant clinking of

dishes in the kitchen

like the buzzing ball of nerves in my

stomach, my jacket pocket erupts with

frantic, ringing

'where are you' s

and 'you're in big trouble' s

but i ignore them

this is something bright

new and warm

and true