love you more

picking up pre-thanksgiving
dinner for the northerners
rolling up my sleeves
to hand out plastic cutlery
on my own time
turning toward you
at the register
it barely registered
in that instance
that you were the thing
i had asked for
insistently sweet
giving me the frowny
face when i leave
so i came back
and asked if you wanted
a little fresh air
we were followed outside
by one of our regulars
who for all their time
in the store had no clue
of the story unfolding here
when i caught up
you were putting on chap-
stick and i nearly died
from giving so much thanks