betty in her fat jeans

sometimes you seem distant
and aloof your friend betty
tells you. i know, you say.
but what's your point. well,
it's hard to figure you
out, i guess. to know what
you're thinking. hmmm. you
say, and stare out the window,
catching sight of a plane
in the sky. silver and
shiny in the sunlight.
there is a part of you
that wishes you were on
that plane and didn't know
anyone named betty.
we should go for an ice
cream, you tell her. how
about that, would you like
that. not really, she says.
i'm on a diet and these
jeans i'm wearing are my
fat jeans. so, no, but thanks
for the offer. okay, you
tell her, well, what should
we do. let's talk about us,
she says. let's define
our relationship and figure
out where we're headed.
you suddenly get quiet
more quiet than the plants
she gets up to water.