Elanor, spelled without an “e”?Your Dad named you after somebody?with a bit part in The Lord of the Rings?You tried valiantly to take up smoking after high school?You hacked and spit through the first few packs?But you couldn’t afford it for more than three weeks??There’s nothing bad about you?Anyone could tell us?That we don’t already know??Walter, from a Wisconsin town?You dreamed your childhood away?Loved a girl you were too afraid of?You ran away from there to here, from her to us?You’ve talked about her for almost two hours ?But you’re definitely over her.  You definitely don’t love her. 

There’s nothing bad about you?You just freeze up?When you have to tell the truth.??Me, I’m boring.  There’s not much to say.

Patty, you were big since you were little?It could hardly matter why – you just are?No treadmill or toilet ever changed it?Your first tattoos were bluebirds on your breasts?You used your sister’s ID to get them when you were fifteen ?But your Mom didn’t notice for weeks

There’s nothing bad about you?You just were born?In a body you can’t stand to live in.

Valentine’s Day again?Walter pays for the beer?we play cards,?we swap jokes,?and if Elanor has too much?and starts stealing glances at me,?I can usually pretend pretty well?that I don’t notice?I’ve only had two Valentines in my life?Here, there’s no shame in that??Patty changes out my music for hers?Says I’m putting everyone to sleep?Walter wonders out loud if the whole lot of us are

Just pathetic?Holed up in the dorm on Valentine’s Day?Not a one of us with a Valentine

Not a sweetheart in sight?He says we should call ourselves?The Lonely Hearts Brigade?But Patty shrugs?And Elanor pretends not to hear him

And I crack one of those rare jokes

That actually gets everyone

Really laughing?I don’t feel lonely at all