I kept the text thread open for three days

I kept the text thread open for three days.

Her word sitting there: absolutely.

No period. No delay.

I showed up to the shift anyway.

An hour early. Apron on.

She looked at me the way you look at someone

who doesn't believe an open door.

I told you I had it.

I drove home. Four in the afternoon.

Ate cereal over the sink.

Looked at the thread again.

Absolutely.

Like a chair someone pulled out for you

and you stood next to it the whole dinner

because you didn't know

if you were allowed to sit down,

or if the kindness had an invoice

you hadn't seen yet,

or if some people just say yes

and mean it

and you've been so long without that

you don't know what to do

when it finally shows up.