‘This
is how its done.’

Tiny hands conduct
the moment
settling on crossed legs

eyes locked on me

the air between us
seems to pause.

I sit
I smile,
I mean who wouldn’t.

I wait like stuffed
toys might.

and I check the
other guests

everyone attends
her words
wide eyed and
silent just like me

elmo, kitty,
and dad.

and when she
asks
‘one lump or two’
my throat
answers way too quickly
definitely
one
lump
there

followed
by
a
quickly retreating
tear.