he saw her across the bar
she was unattended
she refused a couple three
come-ons
she saw him too
he wasnt eyeing her
his right he assumed to take in a
womanadmire her and it not eyeing or
leering separate categorieshe wasnt sure he knew how to leer
he looked at her with respect
there was no harm in appreciating
a goodlooking woman his – appreciation –
was akin to viewing an art piece marveling at its construct depth palette
execution the exquisite detail qualities which infuse fine artistic
expression
he had no intentions towards her
he sat enjoyed his drink and was
sufficiently pleased to enjoy her look
he had no idea what she thought
when absently he roved off her and took in the aged brick wall behind her the
enormous timbers above her part of the superstructure then returning
to her found she was looking at him
returning his look
he nodded slightly
she did not
he looked around the bar at the
other patrons the intimate couples the noisy clusters individuals waiting to be
joinedglancing at their fones checking their wristwatches impatiently ah the select dogs bringing their game
she was suddenly on her fone
authentically startled
he looked away to not interlope
when he looked again she was
gone her drink empty atop the zinc
round café
Too bad breezed through his head
nevertheless he memorised her mesmerising details and
could easily return her to his minds eye
her memory was set fastened buttoned up
he could retrieve herrevisit her
whenever he wanted
it was an ability he didnt
take for granted or believed was unique
he remembered her as he
remembered names and faces
if he had to name her
what would her name be
nothing occurred
something uncommon
there was no way in hell she was
a Christy Sue Nancy whose complexions
were too soft too blonde
she was auburn when light swept over her red highlights were
prominent
she wore her bangs blunted
questioning eyes
he made them green
she was physical statuesque
a handsome woman
despite being physically
gone her aura calved in his eyes seeped deliciously into the creases of his
brain
ahem over his shoulder Do you like my tight sweater? he turned to face the voice See how it fits my body? a small bag hung from her shoulder she slowly ran her fingertips down her flanks
to her thighs
A brilliant chat-up line dont you think?
he did like her tight sweater
Youre not mute
he cleared his throat softly No Not
mute Mildly astonishedI do like your
sweater
she smiled large showing
teeth Fine I like being astonishing
You werent coming over
Astute I wasnt coming over
Are you involved with someone
he liked that she chose the word
involved No Im not involved with anyone Are you
I was Im not
Excuse me Since youve come all this way he extended his hand to her My names Joe
she accepted his hand Im Róison
and shook it vigorously firmly the way a hand should be shook
theres nothing like a name you cant
catch when its said
Im sorry
I . .
.
. You are
Youre gonna make this tough on me
Tough I walked to youyouve been sitting on your fanny
I had no expectation youd walk
over to me
And youre def
Deaf Im sorry
Did you say Raisin
What did you say
Looks as if youre as sorry as
meWere a sorry pair Your pairs notfar
from it We you and I
were a sorry pair
I said Raisin
I said Róison
Róison No wonder I missed it
What is RóisonIve never heard it before
Irish Gaelic Róison Dubh
darkling rose black rose Sinead O’Connor sang it
Im Polish Nope If anything Im not lyrical
she laughed teeth again
he liked this girl Could I buy you
a drink
Marvelous
Yes please I was
hoping youd get around to that
Im a slow study Deliberate
But patience is the virtue
As is a virgin
Clever Róison I like your name It grows on one
Joe Suits you
You dont like it
Not particularly If we get to know one another better Ill devise
a pet name
A tight sweater a pet name
If I said
if
Really You dont
strike me as iffy Or one who hedges her
bets I dont
gamble
Youre sure
Sure enough not to gamble
1816, Friday,
9 6. 17
1714, Saturday,
10 6. 17
