the near heart attack

as the nurse

applies these sticky suction

cups

all over my chest

and stomach, she says, i

remember you.

i look at her

and shake my head.

it was seven years ago.

i start to get nervous.

was she

someone i dated, met in

a bar or on some online

dating site.

did we over drink

our martinis and end up

in the parking lot

outside the Pottery Barn

in the back

of her car?

you don't remember, do you?

she says.

sorry, i tell her, but i don't.

i was kind of binge dating

back then.

well you had this same

cardiogram seven years

ago and i filled out your chart.

whew. i say.

you almost gave me a heart

attack.