Dancing With Olivia

nine

i swallowed and put

my hands in the pockets

of my tuxedo.

"oh."

i didn't want to let go of her,

but she had squirmed slightly,

and i respected her wish

to break away.

she lingered for

a moment longer,

and i wanted so badly

to just have one more dance.

i waited for her to walk away,

disappointed and wistful.

she said one word:

"sorry."