She finishes the last glass of wine and frowns

Her tears spill onto the couch

She sits on a blanket which is stained with despair and pizza grease 

Every week she promises to buy a new blanket But her paycheck says otherwise 

She forgets why she's crying, yet her tears never stop

Her kitchen table is cluttered with divorce papers and Chinese take out 

The smell of failure and wonton soup.

Her alarm goes off. It reminds her of the dinner party she’s attending tonight 

She gets ready. She stops crying

Janet is hosting the party

Everyone is jealous of Janet

Janet waves her new bracelet in the air. She flips her hair with confidence

“I’m so glad you could make it!” she cheers 

Janet serves juicy rotisserie chicken

and sweet tea 

and key lime pie

The guests compliment Janet

They say she’s the perfect cook, they say that her hair looks pretty, they say that her new bracelet is beautiful

Janet talks with her guests. She laughs and smiles 

And when the guests leave, 

Janet reaches under her table 

She pulls out the divorce papers and chinese takeout boxes

She sets them back in their places

She sighs.

The smell of failure and wonton soup.