The Phoenix: 2021-2022

Page 7

French Fries and a Milkshake James Dunmore

French fries and a milkshake. Please, what size? Both large, I grimace. 6.95. The fries are always cold, milkshakes come out fine but now that she works here, I’ve been spending too much money and time waiting in line thinking, this time, this time, this time, I’ll say How are you and she’ll smile and say Just fine thanks I’ll introduce myself first and last name as I pull out 6 ones and exact change, real cool like and I’ll ask, When do you go on break, offering to buy two milkshakes And the next time I walk there, I recite my lines, down the sidewalk, cross the street, hop up the curb, wearing my nicest denim jacket, open the door. She’s standing at the register, waiting, no line, this time, this time, this time. Time gets away, standing staring at the menu as if I was unsure of what to order, what to say. how did my knees get this way, shivering and— What can I do for you today? French fries and a milkshake.

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