at 3 a.m.

you fall in love
with a waitress
at I hop.
she's short and brunette
with pale skin
and blue eyes.
she reminds
you of a baby
seal, out of water.
but you've been
drinking, so
your thoughts
are blurred. you get
the feeling
though that she likes
you.
that she just isn't
topping off your
coffee because it's
her job, no
it really does seem
like she's into
you. she puts her
name with a little
smiley face
on the check.
this makes your heart
beat a little faster,
but you know
you only have
a few minutes to
make your move,
because your girlfriend
is in the bathroom
freshening up,
waiting for you to
pay and leave
the tip,
so before she
clears the plate
you make your phone
number out of little
pieces of egg
and pancake, sausage
links, and toast.
you make an arrow
with some tooth picks
so she'll see. when
your girlfriend
gets back, you get
up, and whisper
to the waitress as
you pass her by.
look at my plate,
look at my plate.
which makes your girlfriend
smack you on
the side of the head
and say. leave her
alone, she's old
enough to be
our daughter.