A Conversation by Reese Kamykowski

I. “I told him I needed more,”

A baby’s cry through the other end of the phone.

I’m glad, 

That's what I said to her.

II. She hushes her son,

Small child to small child.

A mumble,

something about getting a job at McDonalds.

A beat.

I laugh.

III. We talk about her future,

Be a mother or be a mother, she jokes.

I tell her I’ll visit soon,

Another mumble,

This time about how I’m always busy nowadays.

I laugh again, this time it’s less funny. 

IV. “I love you.” and

“I’ll call tomorrow.”

A baby’s cry. A baby’s cry,

A breath.

A dead line.