weekday night, dead cars

She needs a jump,
Stopping me in the lobby
Beneath the security lights.

I pull my cables from the trunk as we
Talk through which teeth
Go where

Long black hair
Waiting for her dad to call back
She says
Thank you
Too much
And speaks of classes and boyfriends and
Babysitters and
How her dad knows all about cars.

Can’t leave young mothers to the
Darkest of winter

Won’t leave young mothers to the
Darkest of winter

We stand before the open hood
And talk of children.