all shoes half price

you go in
to see your therapist
about this problem
you are having
with buying
too many clothes.
especially socks
and shoes. expensive
fancy shoes.
but she's crying.
what's wrong you ask
her as you lie
down
on the leather
couch after
fixing yourself a
cup of hot tea
with lemon. why
are you crying, what's
up. I've never seen
you like this before.
her face is streaked with
make up, her eyes
red and swollen.
what happened you
say, finding some
sugar cookies
on the coffee table,
nibbling on one,
catching the crumbs
in your hand.
there was a sale on
yesterday, at Nordstrom's.
shoes were half price.
every shoe in the store
was half off
and I missed it.
I missed it, she says,
weeping.
what? you say, spitting
out a mouthful
of tea. are you kidding
me, half price?
then you too begin
to cry.