he met herrearended her at a bar 

they were moving up the aisle between the bar and bartenders the backs of customers ordering the cash register and a row of small tables and chairs and a long continuous bench against the far wall 

the aisle lead to the bathrooms and then a rear exit to outdoor seating 

someone hailed him he looked right they didnt recognise each other  mistaken identity

she stopped short

she was short

he stepped into her hardgot his hand around her shoulder to her chestpulled back so she didnt fall Are you awrightIm sorry I didnt see you pull up  Im sorry

as he spoke she looked up at him over her opposite shoulder I’m okay. she stuttersteppedstablised herself then steady she said You can let go of me now.

his hand as she worked to right herself slipped to her breast 

You can let go of me.

her breast filledexceeded his hand he hadnt expected that not of such a diminutive woman

You can let go.

he didnt want to

he did

she smiled That’s quite a grip you’ve . .

. . Sorry sorry  I didnt want you to fall

Thank you. she turned around and faced himthey stopped the line dead  I won’t charge you. Consider it a tip.

she was still smiling

Can I buy you a drinkmake up for my impropriety

Mighty big word for this bar. I’d like that. Please.

he stepped sideways and fended a space for her to enter

they stood face to chestclosely he stooped a bit over the din and asked What would you like to drink

If it’d be alright, I’d like a lemondrop martini, the rim lightly sugared.

rim

music to his ears

she was midway midway to kiss him or give him head

she smiled again as if reading his mindEdge. she said  I should have said edge, sugared edge, not rim.

Pretty transparent 

Not really. I can still feel your hand at my breast. We aren’t offended.

We

Rachel and I. Lottie’s my left breast. Say hello girls, they’re my girls.

he looked down into her cleavagenever would have seen it from behind Hello girls

he held out his hand  Im Joe

she took his hand in both of hers shook it firmly Saundra.

Nice to meet you Saundra

Quite an elaborate meeting,eh, Joe?. Though I’m happy we have.

Me too  Lemondrop  Yes  Id love to buy you a lemondrop  slightly sugared    rim  her smile returned  Just wanna stay in the moment while I plunge into this maelstrom dont know when Ill be back

I’ll cross the aisle. A couple are leaving the bench. I’ll be there.

Ill meet you

over the evening he bought her three lemondrops 

You’re fun to be with, talk with, you’re very animated. How it is you’re out, and here?

How do you mean out

I’m having a hard time understanding you’re unattached.

This is an old watering hole of mine  I used to come here every Friday after work and have a drink meet my wife

You’re married?

No  

My wife died

I’m terribly sorry.  a tear-sheen grew in her eyes

Thank you

she cleared her throat So youre single?

Ha  I think widower not single 

I havent thought single

Are you seeing anyone, regularly?

No  I date

May I ask how long has your wife has been dead?

You want it by years  or by the days

You’re still in love with her.

Ill always be in love with her

Thank you  Nobody has asked in a long time  Dates seem to be content to be dates

She died January 2010

Nine years ago.

Yes

I say you’re single because you act very much like you’re single. You’re attractive, witty, you exude a hard-to-believe happiness; confident demeanor, very masculine; very self-assured.  

I can see that women respond to you.

Do you have a girlfriend?

Do you have a boyfriend

I don’t have a boyfriend. My ex cheated on me.

If I had a girlfriend I wouldnt be here  Your boyfriend was an idiot 

I think so, I like to think so. I only hope I caught him early; that I also wasn’t stupid for long.

Him cheating on you doesnt make you stupid

I believe women think otherwise.

Nobody needs a selfish pig in their life

If they wanna see somebody else  got an itch to scratch that theyre unwilling to share with you  Then be a man be a woman  Be honest  Say so

Are you like that?

What  Honest

Yah

Im honest to the point of being painfully honest  Ive been told

But I figure this is our one merrygoround 

Rides over

Its over

Hmm. I’m unfamiliar.

Thats not true 

Youre familiar now

Would you like another drink

No, no thank you.  Would you like to walk me home?

Sweet  Within walking distance  Smart girl

It’s kind of a longish walk.

The best kind We can walk and talk  The talking always strips away distance then seemingly makes the time too short

If you feel it’s too short, you can always walk me up to my fourth floor flat.

I could do that

I bet you can do a lot of things.

Yabetcha  Just ask

0308, and 1533,  Saturday,  27  7. 19