she knows what she wants
but lets him flip through a menu
for her anyway. her foot jiggles

as he talks all the options
through, finally landing at her
predetermined location. when

the waiter comes by, he orders
for them both; she smiles
leg bopping up and down. restlessly

wanting some kind of freedom
but that’s the one item missing
from the Cheesecake Factory.

9 January 2026