Starbody

tap, tap, tap
“make sure there are no bubbles”,she says,”are you trying to kill me?”
i wrinkle my nose at her
white lines capped with various happy colors
tap, tap, tap
“use this one. don’t be afraid”,she says
i squint my eyes and inspect the chamber closer
far away highway hum, crinkling plastic
fanning out clean, clear, sterile packets
bottles, vials, ampules?
tap, tap, tap
blood drips as i slice my finger
“no one has ever done that before”,she says
i sink the needle into the rubber top
slowly and evenly press the plunger
“not too fast”, she says
pushed as far as it will go
“okay, all done”she says
i push it once more for good measure