It happens on a rainy day. I am doing my afternoon dishes 
& you are bringing in the takeout, when it slips free of your tongue

                baby		

                                  come help me with this. 

In this moment, everything slows to a standstill. I drop the sponge. 
Clutch the plate. Soapy water dripping all over the floor —

baby          you say again          you okay?

& I think of myself as the kind of woman who tames a pet name 
to a heel. I am no one's darling, would rather stick a knife in my chest 
than accept the name of sweetheart.

But you call me	          baby          and I'm gone. 

First plunge of the roller coaster. Helium right after the pop. 
Cotton candy dissolving in rain. 

Call me     baby     and I'm right there. Taking the bags from your 
hands. Setting the table. Pulling out your chair. 

Call me     baby     and I'm ready for you to move in. Empty a dresser. 
Cut the keys. Call me     baby     and every room of my heart opens and 
invites you in for coffee. Pulls out the french press, cream, and sugar. 
Call me     baby     I think, every lock on every bridge in Paris is wiped 
clean and re-inked with our initials.

Call me     baby     and I'm yours, always have been. Caught in the damp silk 
of your hair. Arms looped around your waist. Slow dance in the kitchen. 
Dinner cooling on the counter. 

Call me     baby    and I'll follow you anywhere. Down the hall. Up the stairs. 
Across the landing to the bedroom.


You ask again

          baby          are you okay

and I think

          I am now	

                              always will be

You call me     baby     and I think

          oh

                              say it again

say it one more time