The Middle

ii

"What's your perfect cup of tea?"

You asked me

while we were ordering

in the same coffee shop every morning

"Plain. No sugar. No milk.

Boring, I know."

I tried to say lightly

wondering if you had a sweet tooth

"No, not at all."

You had a bewildered look

"That's anything but boring."

I glanced up to you,

and it's the first time you did not laugh

or grin

or say something silly

Your eyes were a darker shade of brown

and your bottom lip was curled

the coffee shop was quiet

while we stirred our tea in silence

I wasn't sure what to say

So I said nothing

and fell in love with your words

all at once