"how could I say no?"
he drawled
a sprawled tired smile
i offered the brightest
i could muster in return
it did little to lighten up
the dark atmosphere hanging around
a heavy fog of loss
and smothering desire
my heart coughed
wheezing
i took a deep breath
and met his gaze
"i would ask how
you're doing, but..."
i held up the bag instead
he reached in and pulled out
a sweating bottle
its neck held firm
he wrung it around
in hand, grip tight
choking
"thanks, sweetheart"
his smile sincere
suffocating
pressing down
holding down
words he could have said
instead of
"stay for a movie?"
i nod
"of course"
i lay on the bed
both of us
head to head
clogged throats
labored breaths
asphyxiating
in the thin air
devoid of hope