all county center fielder

with three

degrees from three different

colleges,

i see him

behind the counter at 

Starbuck's

pouring coffee, 

grinding beans.

his face is completely 

tattooed now,

and there's

pins and needles, hooks

and rings

sticking out

of his ears and nose,

his eyebrows.

he's wearing

a pink dress

and heels.

he was the kid next door.

tanned with floppy hair.

i remember

how i used to play

catch with him

in the yard. all county

on his baseball

team in high school.

i say hello

and reach over to shake his hand.

how's it going?

i ask.

he tells me that no one

will hire him.

no one returns his calls.

he's stuck here

in this store.