Former Friend

 While I was walking to catch a ferry home -  
 it was leaving in ten minutes -
 I ran into a former friend;
 someone who I pulled the plug on
 a couple of years ago:
 the friendship wire frayed from
 denial and disrepair.
 
 as always, his dress was casually prosperous 
 and well-ironed,
 though a bit strained under some
 extra weight;
 his curly hair set in place
 with product,
 his eyes tired and porcine.
 
 we shook hands a bit too forcefully,
 with the illusion of enthusiasm,
 as if nothing had gone down
 between us.
 
 I asked him about his succession of jobs;
 yes, every one continued to have a villain who
 didn’t appreciate his value.
 they all started with promise, but ended badly.
 he is presently unemployed and collecting again.
 
 girlfriends?
 a couple of instant soul mates,
 but nothing lasting,
 they all have emotional problems.
 presently single, but looking.
 
 he bought a new Beemer last year -
posted it on Valentine's Day -
 before his latest job termination,
 still lives in a small rental in town,
 planning to buy a house of his own when…
 
 his mom’s still hemorrhaging his inheritance - 
always nothing but the best -
 in the best assisted-living facility,
 still alive at ninety-seven,
 though she doesn’t recognize him when
 he visits every couple of months;
 he is relieved that mom doesn’t recognize 
 his sister either, who visits every day.
 he’s gotten a lawyer to protect 
 what’s coming to him.
 
nothing’s changed.
 
 didn’t have much time to answer
 what about you?
 with more than:
 still married, still working, still living in our same home;
 but we adopted a rescue dog from Arkansas.
 
 hearing the ferry announced I said
 gotta go.
 
 quickly shook his hand and
 walked away before the inevitable:
 let’s-get-together
 or
 what happened?
 
 don’t remember what caused the unplugging,
 probably was a bunch of small things
 that gnawed at the cable;
 only knew that the wires were 
 beyond repair.