i stopped at chinese on the way home from the doctor's
"keep taking your medicine and see me in three weeks."
i ordered my food.

it was impulsive, but i was hungry
the world could wait another day.

i waited, admiring the pictures on the wall.
a cell phone buzzed,  but it was not mine.
the cashier walked towards the door.

"honey, don't cry." i tried not to listen.
"the holidays are hard. just find a hotel."
the holidays are hard. every day is hard.

i picked up my order and walked
past the father and his daughter and the distance
and the heartbreak and time that won't stop
not even for the father and his daughter. not even for me.

i looked away so he wouldn't see my tears.