I just got an email from Karen,
He said.
I’ve never heard of email,
I said.
You need to get a computer.
He sneered.

I didn’t get a computer
I moved to Indiana
I moved right in with Karen

I just got an email from Greg,
She said.
I still don’t have an account,
I said.
I know, that’s really weird,
She said.

I moved to New Jersey
I moved to Wyoming
That’s where I met Ruth
Then I moved to Virginia

You need a computer,
Ruth said.

I didn’t get a computer
I just didn’t want one
I moved to New York
I moved in with Ruth

Now we’re together,
I said.

Sometimes she would work late
And there sat her computer
I wanted to know about Karen
I found out she was a lawyer
Her hair cut short, a new last name
Her dreams deferred, or dropped, or changed
I’ll never know for sure, I guess

Then Ruth said, “I know what you’ve been doing on the Internet.”
I gulped, and said, “I know what you’ve been doing in the chatrooms.”
She said, “It’s nothing worse than what you’re doing.”
I said, “I’m only seeking information.”
She said, “Well, so am I, so there we are.”
I said, “What information are you seeking?”
She said, “How to make you love me again.”
“I’d like to help with that. But I’ve forgotten,” I said.
“I wish you wouldn’t use my computer,” she said.
“If you would only get your own,” she added.
“Yes, that would make it all better,” I agreed.