what kind of cheese?

when i open

the door

to let some air in,

a woman

walking by with her

dog

says to me, hey,

what are you cooking

in there.

it smells good.

i shrug,

oh, just a burger.

actually a cheese burger.

i can smell it

out your window,

she says,

the dog is looking at me

as it raises it's

leg to pee in my yard.

okay,

i tell her.

not knowing what to

say next,

well, i should go in

and eat.

are you putting onions

on it,

she asks.

yup.

what kind of cheese?

umm,

cheddar.

what about condiments?

ketchup,

lettuce and tomatoes?

of course i tell her, trying

to step back

into the house

to close the door.

what about potato chips?

nope.

no chips?

fries?

nope. i'm so disappointed,

she says.

i love fries.

but i bet you're going to have

a beer with it, right.

an ice cold beer.

just some ice tea

i tell her.

the dog is pulling at the leash,

sensing my anxiety.

thankfully the smoke alarm

goes off.

well.

it's ready, bye. i quickly

shut the door

and turn off the burner on

the stove.

i see the woman out the window,

still looking in.

sniffing the air.

you should really have

some fries with it, she yells

in.