Slippers
I think I’ll buy a pair of slippers
Norma said browsing her laptop
Harlan had his back to her
chopping veggies for a pizza
he stopped
flippers he asked
my old ones are really old Norma said
you have old ones Harlan asked
ooh I like these Norma said
why do you want flippers Norma
just to wear around the house
scuba in the bathtub Harlan joked
what
scooping the bathtub
whatever Norma said
no to keep my toes toasty
post toasties Harlan said
that’s old time cornflakes isn’t it Norma said
what are you even talking about Harlan
isn’t that what you said he asked
I said I want to keep my toes toasty
you never listen Harlan
always up in your head somewhere
I thought it was odd
that you wanted new flippers he said
what a girl can’t have new slippers now
wait a minute Harlan said
getting close to Norma’s face
FUH LIP PERS he mouthed
looking into her eyes
Norma stared at him
FUH LIP PERS FUH LIP PERS she repeated
what the hell are FUH LIP PERS
didn’t you say flippers Harlan asked
earth to Harlan
I said SUH LIP PERS
SUH LIP PERS as in SLIPPERS
that you put on your feet
to keep your toes toasty
slippers nah Harlan said
I’m pretty sure you said flippers
why would I want FUH LIP PERS Norma asked
because your old ones are really old
that’s what you said
oh my god Harlan
SLIPPERS SLIPPERS
you’re deafer and dumber than I am
well I’ll get the flippers and post toasties
for your birthday then
Harlan said only half joking
awesome Norma said
we are now officially
your mom and dad
I can live with that Harlan said
and they cracked up
— Harlan
