The Top Three

My phone never rings,
but I waited
all day,
naked under my robe,
chain smoking, and
sober.
The lady said she’d call.
She had liked my resume.
It had been the best,
the most interesting,
creative,
unlike any she’d ever seen.
And my answers to her questions
during the interview
were profound and enlightening.
“I like that answer.” She had said.
“Do you mind if I write that down?”
I smiled. “Please.” I said.
“If it helps me get the job,
then by all means.”
The phone rang
finally.
It wasn’t her.
Why would it be?
Only half the day was gone.
She still had time.
Maybe she would or wouldn’t call.
A broken promise wouldn’t be the first
nor would it be the last.
I dialed her office number and left
a message with the gatekeeper.
An hour later
the lady had finally called.
“Randall, we’ve made a decision.” She said.
I waited
naked under my robe
sinking
in the pauses between her words and,
finally,
she said,
“We hired someone today.
and the decision wasn’t easy.
But you should know, Randall.
You were in the top three.”
I thanked her and lit a smoke.
Hung up.
The top three.
I couldn’t wait to tell Larry, my landlord.