Page 75 of I Can't Even Think Straight

---

“I came with Jenny last week

because she told me

you work here on Sundays,

and I was planning

to ask you something,

but I couldn’t do it

in front of your mum.

Jenny didn’t tell me

you work with your mum.

She said she didn’t realize

that was your mum

because your mum

looks so young.”

I’m impatient.

“Okay, I get it,

I have a young mum.

Can you hurry up

and ask your question

because my young mum

will be back soon?”

“Erm, sorry,” he says.

He clicks his tongue,

like he’s forgotten how words work.

“Obi, I don’t know Morse code.”

My eyes implore him to ask.

So I can say yes.

At the same time, I’m embarrassed

he didn’t move to me

with more confidence.

“I’m sorry,” Obi apologizes again.

---