by Denise M. Carpenter

Virginia sat on her day bed
reminding me of a movie star from the silent film era.
She was absolutely adorable all dressed in lace and satin.
Her hair a giant beehive
flaunting flaming red nails,
cigarette extending from a flashy holder hanging from her mouth.
She lit up with excitement when she saw my supervisor
smiling and wanting to know who I was,
patting her bed for me to sit by her.
Unable to resist I sat right down next to her and
immediately she started playing with my hair,
loving the length, the blackness of it.
I could not understand
a word she was saying,
but she kept right on trying
smiling the whole time.
Finally, a word I understood
GOOD.
Oh, we are to become fast friends,
share hours of charades as
I learn all about you, Virginia.
I smile
as my supervisor and I leave.