Two people sit near us.
“Did you see that?” I hear one say.
“Shh!” says the other. “…Yes”
I do my checks: look to Martha (she sips her tea), shoes on, outdoor clothing,
pocketful of change wrapped in handkerchief, wipe mouth, fingers through hair.
I look to Martha again and this time she’s watching me: she reads me. “You’re fine,” her
look says.
I relax. The other diners couldn’t have been referring to me.
I get confused. I have only recently added the handkerchief to my
check list. I had been throwing coins at the ducks in the park. If I keep my change tightly
bound, I know I haven’t launched it. It saves trouble and I can afford the bus ride home.
The check list has grown over the weeks. It keeps me right, so does Martha.
“More tea, Dear?”
“No, thanks, Dear,” I say. “We should get going. Bus is due in 10 minutes.”
“You and your timetables,” she smiles. “You’ll never change.” She pays the bill.
I struggle with the PIN these days.
When I see her return, I help with her coat.
We make our way to the door.
“Sir! Sir….”
I stop and instinctively do a fast run through….
He reaches me.
….shoes, clothing, handkerchief, mouth, hair, Martha?
“…Sir, you’ve forgotten to pay.”
“Sorry, I say. I thought Martha paid… But I forgot she’d gone.”
I am unravelling. The handkerchief. I’ll walk home.
Elaine Marie McKay attended The University of Glasgow where she graduated in English Literature and Philosophy. She was a high school teacher until having her four young kids. Now that she really doesn’t have the time to write, she’s started to write.Nike air jordan Sneakers | Archives des Sneakers