~for R~*

At the supermarket,
I pull her coat over her face
her students can’t see us
buying chocolate chip cookies,
red bull, and *****.

When I unhook her bra
on the first try.
I am showered with praise.
She explains that
this is positive
reinforcement, that this
will make me better in bed.

Sometimes she uses the words
"my kids." Here everything hurts.
I remember how we decided
to not have kids. Though
I had picked out names like
Emma. I like that name.

In the morning,
after taking all of her
red pen suggestions,
then sleeping folded
into each other.
I find five gold stars
on my nightstand.