she came up to me and said she likes my ink

asking if that was peppermint butler

holding my arm and intently looking

what’s that one

buddha on the lotus i reply

her shirt is tight and low cut and she is standing in a way that makes me blush a little as i get two eyefuls of her

well

assets

her boyfriend is watching from across the store

arms crossed and glaring at me

i smile at him

trying to be friendly as she keeps talking about how sweet the kids handwriting on my wrists is

of how she loves kids but can’t have any

all the while he is glaring at me and i’m doing my best not to stare at the ample breasts spilling out of her shirt

i whisper that her boyfriend is starting to get pissed and she giggles

he isn’t my boyfriend

i’m not sure he knows that i murmur as a vein grows in his forehead

he wants to be

i want a lot of things too and he isn’t on that list but he calls and texts all the time and when i mentioned the mall he jumped at a chance to take me

who are you here with

no one

i came to see what new books were out

oh

so you read huh

she gives me a wink explaining how she would love to read but she can’t focus after a few minutes

i take my arm back and tell her to have a nice day and wave at the angry not boyfriend

he doesn’t wave back but the vein throbs in a way i consider one

poor bastard

will walk her though the mall angrily daring anyone to stare at her

overprotective and with no chance of sealing the deal no matter how many bags he carries or items he buys

unaware that the pretty wrapping is just that

she’ll flirt with any guy that catches her eye and not give a damn if he sees or not

i know the type

fell down that rabbit hole a few times myself and i genuinely feel sorry for the guy

he is being led by his little brain into what at best is heartache and at worst is an obsession and an ass kicking if he continues staring at everyone like that

she doesn’t care and will suck him dry and not like he hopes

he is a fallback

a role i played and can read all too well

and i don’t enjoy being the tool that drives his jealousy

i want to explain it to him

but i am public enemy number one as she follows me down the aisle asking about my girlfriend that doesn’t exist

trying to ingratiate herself by stroking my ego and acting surprised i’m all alone

i finally tell her i’m flattered but i need a woman that can read a book and critique a poem and put her legs behind her head

she offers one out of three

maybe if he wasn’t trying to murder me with his eyes it would be tempting

but she comes off as vacuous and that doesn’t really get my motor revving anymore

in this day and age where everyone gets a trophy i’m looking for a challenge not a prize for showing up

besides

i’m sure she expects that as long as her looks remain she has all the power
again this road feels all too familiar

and i’d rather have a beautiful mind that keeps me going than a candy shell filled with angry hornets

she digs in her purse and pulls out a receipt and writes her name and number in sloppy handwriting and puts a little lipstick kiss on it

she says she hopes to hear from me

i smile and walk away

before she leaves i have set it on the shelf next to a book called the big mistake and chuckle as my little brain tries desperately to take the reins

he follows her like a puppy and casts dispersions upon any that dare look her way

poor bastard

one day that candy coating will crack and he will look back fondly on how much of a near miss he had with disaster