He Kissed Me

An old memory from long ago
one that never leaves my mind
that night he kissed me
on the lips
my boss, age thirty-nine.

I was just sixteen
over twice my age he’d been
it caught me by surprise
these lustful feelings
I’d seen in other men.

I ran away
needing to find a place to hide
but he gave chase, not so far behind
stopping, I suddenly turned
I had to overcome my fears
a lesson in life that I had not yet learned.

He stopped several feet away
wordless, we both stared
then I heard him apologize
quietly, as he slowly turned
and disappeared.

Confused and caught off guard,
I stood there for awhile
in the basement lighting, dim
thinking about how awkward it would be
working next to him.