98.

I stand at the door

with Mari

telling all her guests good-bye.

Alex

leans near,

touching my arm

as he passes

into the night.

His voice is low

and I can smell

Doublemint gum on his breath.

You should have passed me a card,

he says.

What?

I say

because I could not have heard

him right.

Night,

he says.

He raises his eyebrows at me.

And then he is gone.

Oh girl,

Mari says,

I think he likes you.

She lets out a laugh.

You think?

I say.

Really?

I think,

she says.

Really.

Right then I want

my Liz

so I can

tell her all about

Alex

and how his hair is

a little long and

how he’s taller

than me

and skinny.

What would she say?