Chinese

Seriously though,
she was whispering between
blue barrels
of fish,
what if he asked you,
would you do it?

I was plunging my hands
into the water when she asked,
letting the fish swim past 
and flick their tails
or nibble 
fingertips.
He would never ask me
I answered.
It came out quiet as
night rain.

The lights flickered
again,
the electricity
in this Chinatown
went out often.
She was nervous,
letting herself wring her hands.
She was sure
of everything but herself.

He would never ask me
to do that.

I picked up a fish
and asked him
with my eyes
where he's come from.
Why should I 
be here
in this market?

His mouth gaped
open and closed
and his rough breathing
was answer enough.

She coughed and the rain started up outside.