ste'

, as though the heavens themselves couldn't summon the strength for a proper storm. The air smelled like d

the season probably maintenance but the basin still held a few golden leaves that swirled idly in the breeze. She sipped her co

he'd come for the

asn't the

ut somewhere beneath the layers of her ca

he

," a voice said behind her, smooth and teas

d slowly, a smile tugging at the corne

again," she said, "or this c

ming with something unreadable. He lowered himself beside her, casual, like he belon

ng," he said, tilting his head toward her

ay, embarrassed by how easily he made her s

h a small grin. "But for

. Not awkward, not strained just... present. As though they were both used to moving

lt to

natu

ed her more t

up walkin

ted out beneath the sidewalks like bones trying to break the skin of history. They paused at a street corner where a sculp

ir presence. She talked more than she usually did about medical school, about the endless pressure, ab

eks flushing. "In college. Thought it'd make me

off the brick buildings around them. But more im

polite

fasci

he couldn't stop r

said later, as they sat on a bench watchin

good or dif

she replied, but her

crossed over the other. He looked effortless, relaxed,

s honest with str

e a stranger," she re

anded heavier th

e's

almost

ed. He'd learned her routes. Her habits. Her favorite coffee shop. He knew where

him like it was fate. Like it wasn

doesn'

n't suspec

that had shattered his world. His mother's screams. The hollow ring of silence

ked suddenly, her voice

him really looking eyes narrowi

ture behind his practiced smile. "Just think

ed her shoulder gently again

was smil

she opened up, the t

ry collection Rilke, of course and he pretended he hadn't read it already. She bought him a c

said. "I want to know i

arm like a secret and nodded

rust me completely. And when she

ng with early evening commuters, neon lights beginning to glow above restauran

turned befor

for a second, her fing

or today, R

ing unspoken. Someth

h his eyes. "Anytime. Or mayb

one last look, and disappea

mpletely. Her silhouette fading

l, he di

his phon

and stared at the screen fo

:

opening up. Won

phone away,

. Let her trust

hat it feels like

like