Today’s trek to the mall
full of masks and unmasks
mostly staying six feet apart
eyes are tired
trying not to be obvious.

My voice was obviously tired
annoyed
exhausted
and yet the cat calls still happened
only today we weren’t asked to smile
we were offensively political
asking the cashier where the ear-savers
were located.

She wanted to go home.
She did not want to work today.
I feel the same way most days
where the office is so quiet
and there are no other voices
to hear.

So we are done at the mall
after walking one lap and sipping
a light smoothie through straws
too thick
for ice, fruit, and honey water.