since driving into the city every night wrecks havoc on ruby’s gas tank, we got to see walter the gas station poet on sunday.

“hey girlfriend,” he said when i walked in to pay for my gas. “how are you?”
“good,” i said. it was still a little early for me, considering i hadn’t gone to bed until 5 in the a.m.
“holy shit, you’re tall,” said a little blonde woman who had been conversing with walter, the gas station poet.
“yeah,” i said and grinned. because what the fuck else do you say?
“how tall are you?” she asked.
“she’s perfect!” walter said.
“i’m 6’5″.” i said.
“wow,” she said.
“now get outta here sarah,” walter said to the little blonde woman. “i need to give this lady my undivided attention.”
“uh, i just need to pay for my gas,” i said.
“see if i bring you any more cookies,” sarah said. “i’ll see you later.”
“that’s my ex,” walter said. “you could probably tell that.”
“. . . ” i just smiled because i really had no idea what to say.
“oh, i had something i wanted to tell you,” walter said. “but now i’ve forgotten it.”
“that’s ok,” i said. “you can tell me next time i come in.”
“you want some coffee, a hot chocolate?”
“no, thanks,” i said. “the diet coke is enough.”
“you sure honey?”
“i’m sure.”
“well, don’t be stranger, i can’t wait until i see you again.”
“thanks,” i said. “have a good day.”
“you too.”

then, because sarah must move awfully slow, i got nailed about my height in the parking lot.

“wow, you are tall,” sarah said as she stood next to her little red convertible.
“Yeah,” i said.
“my granddaughter’s gonna be tall like you. she’s like in the 125th percentile for height. you know the whole planet’s getting taller. i’ve read studies. and now when i go to the northrup for dance shows, i’m the shortest one there. i don’t think these men are going to know what to do about all these tall women.”
“yeah,” i said.
“i think it’s great. i can’t wait until my granddaughter gets older and i can take her grocery shopping. you should see the hard time i have in that freezer aisle. she’ll be able to reach everything for me.”
“yep,” i said. “you get to reach all the high shelves when you’re tall.”
“you should enjoy it,” she said. “it’s a gift!”
“i do,” i said, and jumped into ruby.