Our newest customer
wears a curly brown wig,
a man’s gray sweater,
and ratty red high-tops.
One lens of her glasses
is cracked.
At least one tooth
is missing.
She pulls a rickety cart
stuffed with clothes,
newspapers,
a blanket.
She comes in most every day.
Always orders the same thing:
“Coffee, toast … and
extra jelly, waitress-girl.”
Aunt Darnell always adds
something extra to her plate—
a slice of ham … a fried egg …
a blueberry pancake.
She tells the lady they are mistakes.
She tells the lady to just pay for
the coffee and toast.
One day Jackson goes over
to her table. “I’m Jackson,”
he says. “What’s your name?”
“I’m Grace,” says the lady.
“Can you get me more jelly?”
“Will you give me a tip?”
says Jackson.
“I’m buying a castle.”