Hi, she said. I’m the nice sociopath.
I appreciate you inviting me in.
You won’t notice until later,
but I have taken a few mementos
of our visit,
which I will stroke later, alone,
in the dark of my apartment, eyes gleaming.
Thanks for coming to my BBQ.
That look you’re receiving
from other guests
isn’t your imagination.
I’ve told them all about you.
And then, when you said
you needed some space,
I cried and told everyone
how mean you are, too.
They believed me
at first. Since I seem so nice
and know how to make them laugh.
They’ll figure it out.
Like you did. When I cut them down
and then hide behind
all the things that make them feel sorry for me.
Sniffle. Poor me. I’m just so misunderstood.
Wait. Here’s my next victim.
Hi, she said, I’m the nice sociopath.
If only she would have.
© 2023 Jennifer Wagner