She looked at me twice, checked the window, then hesitantly asked
Do they have cream here?
Yes, half and half— over there.
I like black coffee, but this is so strong!
Bitter! Afternoon dregs—my cup was free and I'd wondered why!
I just got my hair cut . . . it's permed, you know—for a trip out east at Christmas . . .
Oh, where in the east?
Wisconsin—a gift from my son . . . I went with my granddaughter—that's who I'm waiting for.
She sat down, checking the window
I noticed you—not everyone could wear that dress!
Across the space, a treasured-worn album
I hope I'm not being intrusive . . . but this is what I do—
Wedding gowns on every page, Vogue in miniature
28 this past year.
Gnarled, arthritic hands
28! How do you manage?
Oh, I use a machine.
Across the space, a smaller album
This one's her—the one I'm waiting for; and on the left, her sister—
Beautiful long red hair!!
their mother died at 43 . . . eldest one's just graduated . . . that's when they were little, with their mother—this is my son and family—my husband died at 52 . . . it's in the genes, you know—cancer . . . I've been alone now over 30 years . . . that's the youngest at 3—my daughter at 3—twins, aren't they? . . . that's us—even though it's black and white, I had red hair at 20—he was in the service.
She slowly closed her life, checked the window, then carefully wrote down her number
Now call me some time!
I hugged her
Yes, I noticed you —not everyone could wear that dress!