what you don't count on
Her footsteps carved out a noticeably different rhythm against the sidewalk's face. it was that bound that reminded the older man of his late wife, as he stopped to watch her pass. her arms swayed idly at her side, a portrait of steady determination with no specific hurry. she wore a light sweater tosoften the autumn breeze, and she didn't notice the small yellow leaf that danced across the fabric as it blew on its twirling journey. the sun smoldered behind a mass of bubbling clouds, and the air felt like rain to everyone but the little girl in the sandpit. she looked up as the girl in the sweater walked by, suddenly wishing she wasn't an only child. through the same old flowering park and back onto the street, she glimpsed her dim reflection in the window of a cafe, but not that of the forty-year-old pair of newlyweds tucked in close to one another. the bride peeked out of the warm crook of her lover's neck, her eyes smiling at the younger girl. the curve of her ponytail bobbed so happily against the nape of her neck that the older woman was sure she too was in love. the girl paused briefly as the don't walk signal switched to green, thinking so lougly she was sure someone must hear her. her head was high but her glance down; she knew better than to lift large green eyes in this sea of brown. the prick of a premature raindrop bounced off her freckled cheek and she weaved across the road. the petite habited nun wondered why the girl would be crying at all; but the truck driver didn't see anything more than her hips sewing their way through the throngs. the girl quickened her pace, but didn't notice his honk, just kept silently on her way.
she must have passed hundreds of people on her daily walk, it's path always the same, her speed and expression constant as well. is this why i came to the city? she thought, to never be noticed at all? her heart broke a little as she ducked inside the door of her destination.
he sat there every day, every day at the same time for the past month and with habitual consistency, smiled his small smile at her as she passed, unnoticing.
she must have passed hundreds of people on her daily walk, it's path always the same, her speed and expression constant as well. is this why i came to the city? she thought, to never be noticed at all? her heart broke a little as she ducked inside the door of her destination.
he sat there every day, every day at the same time for the past month and with habitual consistency, smiled his small smile at her as she passed, unnoticing.