i unfolded the paper
and lay it next to your plate
of bacon, eggs,
black coffee.

i tossled my hair,
wiped my eyes,
and practiced 
how to smile.

you flopped down
with a grunt
and picked up the paper,
shaking the pages 
like a wet umbrella.

i sat down across from you,
and stared at the back page.

there was an ad above the fold:

LOOKING FOR THAT MISSING SPARK?
LOOKING TO REKINDLE YOUR ROMANCE?
Call Today! 1-900-GET-LOVE!

you finished your food,
lay the paper down,
pushed back the chair with a screech,
and left the room,
without a word to me.

i took the paper and went
to the phone, hanging on the wall.
i dialed the number:
ring – ring – ring – ring

THE NUMBER YOU HAVE DIALED 
IS NO LONGER IN SERVICE.
PLEASE CHECK YOU NUMBER,
AND TRY AGAIN.
THIS IS A RECORDING: SIX-Oh-SIX-SEVEN.