one red one white

you have zero
interest
in driving a hundred
miles
to eat
at your aunt
June's
house for thanksgiving.
you feign
sickness
over the phone.
coughing
like a camel smoker.
she
begins to cry.
I haven't
seen you in so
long.
I might be dead
by the end
of the year
in case you haven't
heard.
they found
something
on my leg.
it's a lump
the size of a pea.
but you never know.
there is a long
pause.
i'll bring wine,
you finally say.
one red one white,
she says back,
then hangs up.