Middle-Aged Karaoke by Timothy Houghton

Middle-Aged Karaoke by Timothy Houghton

Published in SNReview, Spring/Summer 2008

A big woman jumps out of a booth deftly, avoiding tabletop and plastic vines behind her head. In the chrome diner she sways at a microphone singing "Daydream Believer," The Monkees' best song. She's a slow tsunami, same as me, though I sway sitting down, enervated by many drinks. Her friend --a girls' night out-- closes the paper umbrella above the rim of a mug and waits her turn. I envy their courage. It's early evening. I'm the only one watching.