2.

after Sandra had gone
in casual conversations
even with strangers
I was forced to answer questions like
what are you going to do up there
why did your girlfriend leave
why couldn’t she find a job here
would she be able to use her diploma
is life good up there
regardless of who I spoke to  
I always repeated the same answers
when they told me
that they would go too
if only there was an opportunity
that the situation here is awful
that in a year or two it would be like Chile here
I lifted up my glass or my cup
and started to roll it slowly on the table
then we went quiet for a while
waiting for something to happen
when I met them later in town
they would pat me on my shoulder commenting
you’re still here
when are you leaving
how’s your girlfriend