i’ve grown up. i’ve learned. i’ve been. but at house parties (not that i go to many) i sit in corners. i burrow my pinky toes into their basement carpets. would a drink take this away. probably not, but i’ll take one anyway. thank you. in shopping malls i run into old classmates. please don’t see–oh hi. yes, i’m more successful than the girl you knew in high school. instead of walking to the local movie theater i ride my car. i stutter when adults, when older adults, ask my age. i’m eight-nine-fif-twenty. i can haphazardly blend my makeup and put on lip stain. oh yes, i have a job, sort of. oh yes, i have a plan, sort of. want to have coffee with me.