ordinarily he wouldnt have touch it with a tenfoot polegiven it wide berth 

                                                                              however  her fault she caught his eye

infected affected him

he was pleasantly surprised 

                               itd been awhile since he was arrestedwhere he turned his headcaught a glimpse turnedaway then rubbernecked back looking again  harder

   despite himself he wandered closer 

slogans ran amokdid nimble cartwheels across his mind Clairol’s The closer he gets, the better you look.  Does she or doesn’t she? 

               he wanted to learn if she did or didnt

 

she was talking with a woman who stood askance 

                                                     messaged in her spine hipsarms crossed

he had trouble discerning if they engaged in a friendly conversation or argued

the redhead who caught his eyethat was a rarity faced him the other now danced around a bit like she had to use the bathroom 

           he saw then he caught the redheads eye  something beckoned in her face

he strode up 

              talked directly to her We know each other but from where

Danceypants turned a smirk on her facelike a torn page  was not inviting 

                                                                               but he wasnt asking

Red nodded  Yes.  Where?

Excuse me, we were talking. Dancey said

Yes I understand  

                      But Im visiting and refuse to miss this opportunity whether Im correct or mistaken  I assume yare familiar so can reconnect at will  Am I wrong

Ren, are we going to conclude our conversation or do you really want to . .

. . If you don’t mind Susanne, can I call you later?

Danceypants was miffed but she contained itflashed in her face only a moment 

                                                                                    Yes, of course, I understand. I’ll talk with you later.  Excuse me. she said sidestepping him and walked away 

You’re a godsend. he nodded Although I can't say we know you each other.

he laughed his laughter eased her 

                                      Woudnt think itd be hard in broad daylight to recognise a knight in shining armor

Oh, you’re funny . . knighthuh?

Split my time court jester too 

                                  Youll please forgive my forwardness  I saw you at a distance an wanted to confirm I saw wha I saw  I was obvious  An when you recognised I was watching you I had to go all in 

                                                                                                     Play poker

I do.

Then you follow I was committedcoudnt pull my investment back

  Investment.   Is that what you call it?

Believe it or not I havent been curious in a long while 

                                                        Youll have to forgive me satisfying my curiosity

It kills cats.

Luckily Im not a cat 

                     Leaving you to kill me   Joe he extended his hand  Nice to meet you Ren  No W I believe

she shook his hand  No . . no W.  Lucky?

I play poker 

              Anya do look familiar 

You’re visiting and I look familiar?

No  I told your friend I was visiting to throw her off Perhaps Ive seen you around but I havent seen you looking like you look this afternoon 

                      Fetching 

You fetch?

I coud

he interested her in a drink a place she knew   in walking distance

they ordered  talked 

                       the liquor was lubricating

they laughed easily 

Your friend in the park

Yes.

I didnt cause any harm or upset

No. We have a friendly . . a . friendly sparring relationship . she parries, but refuses to thrust.

Yare the thruster

I am.  I’m combative, confrontational . . I have a hard time bringing her along in any of our discussions . . 

. . Doesnt want to hurt anyones feeling or risk being brusque

Yees. it hissed out of her like a balloon going flat  It’s maddening.

Well when you call her this evening you can admit I was rightwe know each other 

I wouldn’t be lying.

Unlike me 

           But you bailed me out thank you

Ren laughed gloriously openmouthed  didnt cover it with her hand  it was infectious  he laughed with her

 

later 

      My friend Susanne is a polack or rather I call her a polack . she’s not really.

No

No. I tease her because she puts vegetables in her meat drawer. 

                                                                      What do you think about that?

 I think he winked maybe she ought to put meat in her vegetable container 

her breath caught Are you suggesting . . what I think . you’re suggesting? now her hand came up over her mouthher eyes startling brightgreen

  I am 

         Anyare not a prude

her hand fell away she laughed deeperlouder than he had heard her all afternoon 

                                                                                     No . I am not.

0946,  Sunday,  11  9. 22

123preferred,  Day-between-Two-Ts,  5  10. 22