“What happened to you?”
You are just back from basic training
All muscles and smile
Standing in my doorway
Taller than ever
Asking impossible questions

How do I answer the impossible?
My mind scrambles for an acceptable truth.
“You hurt me so I ran away.”
“I occupied myself so I wouldn’t die.”

These won’t do. 
You are 6 feet tall 
and you fill up my doorframe 
But my pride is 10 feet tall and
It fills up the room 
And the apartment
And me. 

“I got a new job,”
I say, tilting my head. 
I wonder which of us 
Is lying best – me or that smile of yours. 

You ask me if I want to come with you
And whoever you’re with
To this other girl’s apartment
To hang out. 
My breath catches.
You have the bluest eyes but
You dwell in oblivion.
Best liar award goes to me. 

“No,” I say,
“No, I am working on something 
and cannot leave.”
(“What are you working on?” you do not ask me,
And I feel but do not say, “I am working on
Not letting you break my heart again.”)