I’m standing in front of a
bouquet of flowers,
and a display case
of sandwiches, croissants,
scotcheroos,
I’m standing somewhat
impatiently
w/ memories
of past experiences,
I’d rather not
recall,
Reading the names of the
teas as
the elderly lady tries
her stack of cards.
American Express… tap it -Declined
try to slide it…
Declined.
try to stick in in the card reader…
Declined.
She returns the card to the bottom of the stack. (I notice her VA –ID amongst the others)
Citibank -Declined.
try to slide it…
Declined.
try the card reader…
Declined.
Another to the back of the stack. (her elderly friend comes over)
Visa -Declined.
try to slide it…
Declined.
try the card reader…
Declined.
Another to the back of the stack.
I watch the barista continue to make their coffee,
-wave him a few $20s
neighborhood because of increased ICE reports,
clearly I want to be the
hero.
I tell her not to worry –and hand him my cash
She doesn’t understand and
pulls out her check book.
The barista says
he paid for you.
She and her friend thank me,
but one more graciously,
she turns and plants
herself - square
"You paid for the coffee of a flying killer
you should know that."
oh? *I ask awkwardly
“When I trained pilots
at the air academy,
that’s what we’d tell people… "
(I’m intimidated by an octogenarian) ...her friend thanks me again, pulling her arm,
she stays square off.
-letting me know
no man had ever saved her,
she is her own hero,
her own killer if need be,
“Mostly I just kill flies and mosquitos though…”
...I thank her for her service.
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