on the bricked square at the edges of its garden and fountain

                                                                   . . . Susanne.

Who are you

Susanne, with an S, your attorney’s secretary, we met in his office. 

Ohjah jah   Jah the lights went on

                                            I apologise  I didnt recognise you right off

It’s alright, I wasn’t soaked and cold then.

white blouse white bra cold

                            Youll excuse me for saying so  but youre pulling it off handsomely 

    Could I buy you a drink?

Me  Howbout I make you a hot toddy while you get out of those clothes My place is just up the street

I know.

You know

             You a sleuth

A Velda Sterling

Spillane.

            Mike Hammer.

Oh stop

          I coud fall in love with you

You wouldn’t.   Why you needed an attorney.

 

There is tha

You won.

We

      We won

he took her by the elbowguided her out of the square

                                                         they crossed the street went up a block to an aged threestorey tanbrick apartment building entered the courtyard statuary low shrubs running at the edges of broad walks to either side of a median possessed by flower beds

This is awfully nice.

Thank you

                Since I was a kid I wanted to live here

Used to deliver newspapers to a many of the tenants I was ungodlymerciless tryin to get the holdouts to come onboard

They firmly insisted their news magazines periodicals were sufficient for their needs

opening the heavy leadglass paneled door they entered the immaculate hexagon tiled Diamond X Carrara marble foyer on either side were banks of elegant keyed bronze mailboxes

Some digs.

They are Thank you  I was remembered fortunate to acquire one despite it a thirdfloor walkup

                                                                                                       As I was saying  every once in a while I copped fourfive papers set them at their doorsteps  Free samples  Returned home called the office toldem I was shortedthey were suspicious  nevertheless broughtem over so I could complete my route  maybe   hafhour forty minutes tardy

Tardy?

Thaswha the shorted tenants said

                                       Tardy  Winked   They knew wha I was attempting

You shared the tardy wealth.

You bet I did

                Maybe a couple times a year every tenant I delivered to received them tardy

That’s good memories.

Jah thank you

opening the interior door a mate of that entering the foyer

                                                              Up we go  Top of the steps go left then go right on the left at end of the hall

A corner apartment?

I lucked out The woman who owed it thought I was a peach

Were you?

I am

 

she was formless in his sweats pulled her hair into a topknot after a hot shower while he took her clothes down to the basement placed them in a dryer

they sipped serious hot toddies

                                   Whew. You tryin’ to get me drunk?

Ill remind you

                 You asked me out for a drink while you were dripping wet

I did, I did.

                   I was always curious about you then case closed you were gone.

I am tickled we ran into each other.

    Did we        

0705,  reggaefriday,  3  7. 26

0949,  Saturday – 250 th birthday of America,  4th of July 2026

Leonard Cohen  Suzanne  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svitEEpI07E

Free  All Right Now  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSdBtoIIYT4