The Cost of Living

Amy's not having any fun. fishing for compliments from anyone. searching the room for ammunition. pretending her feelings aren't hurt. raising the hemline on her skirt. calling it women's intuition. she swallows some confidence. extracts a cigarette. a gentleman lights the fuse. that dangles from her fingers. it may be last call. but amy isn't finished yet. she feels herself warming. where his blurry vision lingers. at his apartment on the couch. she kisses the corners of his mouth. prepares for subtraction and addition. she quietly gathers up her clothes. thanks for the drinks you paid for. looks out at the houses in their rows. i've gotten what i came for. there's always been part of me. that no one really knows. and so it goes. i never could have lived that life. a mannequin. somebody's wife. the cost of living's worth it i suppose. she walks through the lobby. with her panties in her purse. she's asking the doorman. for directions to the subway. she doesn't need magazines. to tell her what she's worth. she left him a note that said. i'll call you maybe sunday maybe monday. amy revolves through the front door. she's never been anybody's whore. she gets what she wants. it makes her happy