afternoon coffee

the waitress seems
especially kind to you,
almost sympathetic.
smiling with daughter
like eyes.
she's so young.
and you, eating alone
in the late afternoon,
with your paper,
your open phone
next to the salt
and pepper, a tin
of napkins. sugar.
she has made a
story for you. she's
put you in a place
as she leans over to pour
more coffee.
she has said to herself
where you have come from
to get here this day.
she's at least half right.