the restaurant doesn’t look like much from the outside
but inside it has flickering candles
and a fireplace
that feels perfect on
this chilly night

a waiter seats us and I feel
more grown up than I am

I suppose being with
a college guy doesn’t hurt

the prices make me flinch
but he covers my hand
tells me not to worry
that this night is a gift from his mother
to celebrate
me

knowing her situation
makes the gift mean more
and I look at Ben as her son
instead of my friend
and he looks different that way
even older
with burden
nestled in his eyes

and I ask Paula’s son about his mother
and let him talk
about her week
her fight
and some of his fear
as he faces the idea
that she could still lose the battle