Envy

Looking back on it
Perhaps I should have left
Or simply retreated
Behind the rim of my coffee cup

Today my reflection stares back at me
My unkempt hair, my bitten nails
Their nails shone with perfection
As they clicked on skinny glasses
The television blares in the distance
My reflection raises a mocking eyebrow
At my old sweatshirt, my unadorned lips
The television flashes advertisements in my face
I close my eyes and remember
How their perfume preceded them
As they wafted through the front door
Caressing but never noticing its worn carvings
How their heels commanded attention
As they ordered frappe-somethings
Sniggering at the waiter’s hideous uniform
Blind to the jeans fraying under that starched apron
The television boasts of some fairytale in a bottle
I’m not even listening
I brush my hair
Ignore my reflection’s unblinking gaze
And leave
The rusty doorknob silently applauds me

We met that girl at the coffee shop again
She knew we were laughing at her
But she turned around
And smiled at us anyway

I wish I had her smile