We see you reached out a while back
– TEN DAYS –
and we wanted to follow up
and see if you are a good fit.
(I can see him drumming his fingers if we were sitting across from one another.)
We have had time to weigh your consideration, or we wouldn’t be here.

I look at my screen and try to craft a reply
that barks my lack of hesitancy.

Between the lines of his spare reply:
I’m the guy with the name you see in my Email.
I have a fair amount of downward-inflected responses
to let you know I’m caring, I care, I’m listening,
(I know how to care).

It will take me all day to grapple with the nonchalant reply
and even longer before I answer myself:
Do you really want to hit SEND?