you sounded younger on the phone

you sounded younger
on the phone, the woman says to you,
as you
measure her walls
for paper.
estimate what it would cost
for labor,
for paint.
you stare at her and think
of a response
to what she's said.
you sounded thinner
on the phone,
or nicer, smarter perhaps.
you sounded like someone who
might be able
to afford
to clean up this dark
cocoon of a house,
but I had you all wrong.
but you say nothing.
you hand her your card,
and shake
her small wet hand, go your way
with words stuck
in your mouth.