She

Strong first encounter

A planted kiss with beer on his breath

Vodka on hers

Leading the way hand holding down the pier promenade on a t-shirt warm night

The ocean a lake of radio silence letting them tune in to one another

Who pays for what

One night stand bluffs did you did I

On the brick wall he leaned against her at closing time, the crowds 

crookedly walking watching their beginnings through a film of yellow 

poisoning but not, just

alcohol.  

They didn't fuck that night.

A whirlwind of in between

Youth and adult love that we're told

Exists

Where past lovers are forgotten

And friendship becomes the basis before sex.

Instead, they shake each other and pop the corks exploding 

Out, and up the rickety elevator as high as they can

Hoping for the penthouse

Not the roof where all they can do is look down,

A dread remembrance of their ride.

They should have taken the stairs.