Crucial by Susan Tepper

Most importantly

I won.  

Beat him at his game.

And what a game

played over 

a long hot summer

via phone,

the tickles and silences,

bathroom calls,

high stakes from 

a high roller, and 

I, just a tiny woman

in his scheme of things

his worldly schemes.

There were clues

along the way.

I am a genius at

picking up clues

in a voice, certain 

inflections.  

His final revelation: I ran 

up three flights of stairs

in this lousy hot airport

to take your call.

Susan Tepper is the author of nine published books of fiction and poetry.  Her most recent titles are CONFESS (poetry published by Cervena Barva Press, 2020) and the road novel WHAT DRIVES MEN (Wilderness House Press, 2019).  Tepper has received many honors and awards.  She’s a native  ) New Yorker.  www.susantepper.com