six years later

the Jiffy

lube guy remembers me.

where have

you been? he says.

we missed you

and your Honda

car and Toyota truck.

we haven't seen you in a long

time.

synthetic oil?

right?

yes, i tell him. it's a long

story.

he laughs,

women right?

of course, i tell him.

always is.

filters, he asks?

air, cabin?

sure, why not.

rotate the tires?

okay.

we top off the fluids

for free, but you know that,

right?

thanks, i tell him.

there's coffee

and a bathroom in there,

he says,

opening the door

for me.

i sit down in the waiting

room,

picking up

an old people magazine

with Oprah on the front,

then start reading

where i left off

six years ago.

she's finally been able

to keep

the weight off.