heather’s life is a mess

that’s what she thinks

wears expired makeup

bought a sweater from shein (but feels really bad about it)

convinced her boss has hated her since her first day

still on chapter one of the bell jar

can’t get the cracker crumbs out of her bed

carmen’s life is a mess

that’s what she thinks

cooks only boxed mac and cheese

regrets her bangs, but not enough to do anything about it

missed her last gynecologist appointment

blames herself when a stranger steps on her toe

sleeps with her childhood stuffed animal

erica’s life is a mess

that’s what she thinks

forgot to register to vote—again

spent her savings on a self-cleaning litter box

shoplifted sunglasses just to feel something

stained her bathtub with red hair dye

in love with the barista that never charges extra for almond milk

but every friday they meet

for girl dinner

they listen

they gossip

they laugh

they think the world of each other—

they’d never think about one another

the way they think about themselves