what's for dinner, pops?

i suggest

lightly to the boy, that maybe

it's high time

to get a real

job. any job.

i see they're hiring down

at Amazon.

i framed his college

degree

in a nice wooden frame

and hung it on the wall behind him.

there's flecks of grey

in his hair

as he approaches

forty.

he says, what?

as he sits on the couch

with his

hands on

the buttons of his newest

video game. he's

still in his pajamas at

four p.m. .

what? he says, again.

i'm almost

to level ten, pops,

hold that thought,

and what's

for dinner?

not chicken again?