i was elbow deep in dishwater
when the Daddy talk came up. 
i kept my grasp on the glassware
and turned to watch her
picking at a microwave pizza,

sipping some chocolate milk,
casually digging up the questions
some people never manage to pry loose
i wipe my wet hands 

on the tail of my t-shirt
and pick up my coffee cup
and join her at the table. 
in my experience,
it’s the best place to explain
to a six year old girl
she was born into a woman’s world.