repartee

smile and nod with grin affixed
searching for something new to say
"no, not going anywhere for the holiday.
not going anywhere at all,
no, no plans, just a quiet one,"
and try not to feel small.
"Bermuda...that sounds nice,
Pittsburgh...that sounds nice,
Hawaii...that sounds nice.
Sorry to hear to
Joey came with lice.
How's the baby,
how's your mother,
how's grad school,
how's the promotion?"
I go through the all motions:
I dole out the banter,
even some witty repartee,
all the time wondering
when I can sneak away.