- Lena Drake
the boy with three houses
Updated: Nov 8, 2022
Did you think I forgot you? Velvet
hands and lifts in your shoes. Took
the invitation to your house upstate
where I worried we'd split the bill.
Had a type I found in the eyes of
people that were still new. Had a
tape, as one does on vacation,
desperation doesn't know no. I
asked for a blank wall--somewhere
with natural light. I wanted you
to watch, wanted to see you see
me. Delight on your face, maybe
surprise. I translated the distance
between us as intimidation; I offered
too much to the boy with three houses.
My only audience that day; I was big
enough to fill the room, convinced
I scared you back into your seat. You,
whose face read more than it revealed,
you who was certain that I was
magnificent. Risky for a girl with a type/
tape. We couldn't have been more
than a body apart. The way you heard me
unnerving. Do you remember me now
or do you try to forget? The phone call,
afternoon, no apology to be found.
