water off a duck

i'm disappointed

in you,

she tells me

on the phone. i thought

you were smarter

than that.

but apparently i was wrong.

i say nothing,

listening,

as i do curls with a bar bell

on the floor.

i set the phone down,

and do some

sit ups.

putting her on speaker

phone.

i can't believe you

sometimes, she says.

you're not the person,

i thought you were.

i knock off a dozen

pushups, then go back

to the phone.

what's wrong with you,

she asks.

you used to be so rational.

you sound like you're

out of breath,

are you okay?

yeah, yeah, fine.

just working out, i tell her.

just exercising.

so are we going out later,

or what?

i begin to do twenty 

jumping jacks

as i wait for her answer.