4
white strappy sandals on the sidewalk,
the bell rings as i walk in
you look up from behind the counter
a flip in my belly as our eyes meet
you seem almost out of place in the ice cream shop,
but that pink-and-white striped dress looks good on you —
blonde hair in two neat pigtails
i’ll have the french vanilla, i say
my only ice cream order ever
you slide the glass door open with your elbow,
showing off as you drop three perfect scoops into my waffle cone
that’s one extra —
you reply with a wink: i know
my hands shake as i take the receipt
my tip: more than the price
impulse decision: my phone number at the bottom
i turn away before you can see it,
the bell chiming a second goodbye