things happen

i go to the local
dive
diner for breakfast.

my usual waitress
mandy
is on the slow take
today. i haven't been in here
for a few months.

i see her in her pink
uniform
with a black apron,

her back to me.
then she turns around.

she's pregnant.
she waddles up to me.
usual, she says, snapping
a wad

of pink gum in her mouth.
yup, i tell her.
then say,

congratulations.
oh this, she says, pointing
her belly
with her pen.

it ain't nothing.
things happen, ya know.

went out with this trucker
dancing one night, and well.
you can guess the rest.

he was delivering a big
load of those orange
marshmallow peanuts to
the Walmart.

nice fellow, funny guy.
oh well. what are you gonna do?

coffee?
yeah, sure. leave the pot,
i tell her.
and no toast today, or hash browns,
trying
this keto thing.

good for you she says.
good for you.

be awhile before i'll be slimming
down, honey.
she laughs, then off
she goes.