i’m draped in
fluorescent lighting,
mollifying.
I come to myself

collapse on top
of the thing playing
footstool
before he stretches out his back,
bored  house cat.

licks the cream from an inner thigh.
my unpolished toes curl
in revulsion.
chairs squeak;
someone coughs and
adjusts the lights,
I blot my mouth and cheeks
with an embroidered handkerchief
whose initials aren’t mine.

find my heels.

pull my blouse over my tender chest,
try not to look in any mirrors
on the way out
and notice the exit sign
shimmering,
more red
than usual.

“how we meet”