Dyspeptic and Broke

—Anonymous Photo

FOURTH OF JULY AT THE MALL
—Kathy Kieth, Diamond Springs, CA

Done with illegal fireworks and greasy hotdogs, we
head down to the mall for All-American pizza

and ice cream. At the neon restaurant, the twenty-
something hostess with blond curls and deep

purple nails stares out the glass front door
all through dinner: no one to seat, her life floats by

the window as she pulls in $6 an hour. Outside,
a toddler in huge shorts and a ten-gallon hat careens

past a teenager with dyed black hair and nose-
ring, sophistication cancelled by her pouty

cherub face and hovering mother. We drift over
to the bookstore, where we spend too much money

on credit, then to a forgettable movie; but its ex-
cruciating soundtrack sends me reeling

into the bathroom for the calm of cool porcelain
peace. Finally, dyspeptic and broke,

we head back home to sleep off
another holiday. . .

_______________________

—Medusa

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