the christmas ring

you go shopping for a
ring at the mall.
but first you
get a pretzel
and a soda.
that one you say to
the girl, I want to see that
one, pointing
at a diamond ring
under the shiny glass.
what size does she
wear, the girl asks you.
I don't know you
say, brushing gems
of fallen salt
from your coat.
I just her met last week,
but her fingers are slender,
like yours,
not fat at all.
how much is that one?
oh, you say,
as she flips the tag
over and tells you.
do you have
anything cheaper.
something without
the diamonds?
you wipe the mustard
from your lips
as you finish your
pretzel. I just met her
and I'm not sure it's
going to last,
do you have anything
I can return
if it doesn't work
out? sorry, she says,
but no.