She Tells Him That She Loves Him

He looks left with dilated pupils 

It’s not right 

That’s nice 

Hmm

There’s a space where he usually inserts the kissing emoji and hopes she’ll forget 

Move on

Not realise

Only here with her face half hidden by shadow 

Half a stoic grimace of confirmation

His palms feel too dry; his stomach heaves against the slosh of bile at his tonsils 

She said it

He’s trapped in this moment of untethering 

It is Tuesday 

Why is it always Tuesday?

Her knees are awkward 

His mouth glued into a shameful twist 

So there’s that 

Thanks for telling me 

It’s the silence of her tears

He remembers later