cougar

           maybe somebody thought theyd have some fun at her expense

he studiedwas a quick study her countenanceWRONG

                                                       the joke would be on them

theyd given her an aluminum water bottle  emblazoned on it in a black cursive font

COUGAR

her nutbrown hair was shoulderlength woven with strands of grey didnt strike him shed dye it quiet confidence

she sat erect shoulders squaredYAH a cougar

hed not make a play

shed be interested in younger men as he was interested in younger women

                                                                                needed partners who could keep up 

if they tangled theyd kill each other

as the flight attendant neared he leaned the book he was reading Tidhars A Man Lies Dreaming against his chest

Could I buy you a drink

turning left to face him the setting sun coming through the porthole colouring her facehighlighting her freckles

                                                                                                                  You could.

Thank you.

she ordered a double scotch neat

took the words out of his mouth

                                   still

hed not make a play

smiling they tapped plastic lips

Skal.

Na zdrowie

sipped

        returned to their reading

nearing 8,  Reggaefriday,  12  4. 24

1046,  Sunday,  28  4. 24