he saw her through a decorative lead paned window when he reached the exquisite herringbone parquet landing complete with lavish ferns atop ancient Roman stone pedestals     

she stood on the pea gravel drivehands at her hips simmeredslightly in the old glass as the sun washed through flickering elm leaves  

her jetblack hair was parted severely at the middle   

he had not seen her wear it like that  but he hadnt seen her for years

emotions gathered in his chest his eyes smarted 

                                                  he only happened at the landingwasnt expecting her and without a shadow of wariness or anticipation on her face it was unlikely she knew he was inside

he was tendered an invitation didnt arrive until the afternoon before

he assumed hers

   he didnt want to meet her 

returning to the bedroom provided him he quickly gathered his things descended simple back steps and went outside through a kitchen/pantry annex

crossing the shallow lawn he entered a stand of trees and switchbacked his way down to the road that going right would eventually curl up to the house accessed through an automated split swing gate

he shouldered his bag

town wasnt five miles off

he knew because he walked to the house after disembarking a Trailways bus off the interstate

   she looked beautiful radiant  the same as when he last saw her  that was assuring and all he needed

an unexpected surprise  

7AMish,  Monday,  30  1. 23

1455,  Twosday,  31  1. 23

Dylan  All I Really Want to Do  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYDfjV2B5Gk