she pauses by the mirror
adjusts her hair,
checks her makeup
her heart flutters-
he'll be home soon

the party starts in twenty minutes
if he comes home soon,
they can make it in time
they'll only be fashionably late

the key turns the lock
she smiles as he steps in,
grabs her purse
he stops her

his voice rings in her ears
the world is spinning-

ashes to ashes
dust to dust

she laughs
tears stream down her face
silent sobs come out with smiles

we all fall down-
tumbling through a void
the bottom is gone

her heart is breaking inside
but
all she can do is laugh