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
