your wounds will heal so quickly
    water will be jealous
    - Stan Rice, Tragic Rabbit

It started at a morning bus stop
across four seasons
from that first moment of eye contact
smile and hello
small talk about the weather
and other things deeper
till finally he built up the nerve to ask her out
to which she happily accepted his number

She was pretty
he was cute
obvious to both of them
as the conversation grew deeper each morning
on the bus to work

There was discussion of what to do
where to go
which three days later
turned into a phone call and invitation to her place
to share excited talk
of histories and likes
over wine and tokes
easily breaking down that first barrier

The kiss was spontaneous
unable to stop it
as if magnets he and she
eagerly moving forward to embrace

Despite both having reached fifty
raised children to adulthood
they suddenly found themselves as kids again
giggling and sighing at the touch of wet lips
in gentle smooching
pulling away only to discuss what just happened
with wide eyed grins

She told him that was nice
and that he was a good kisser
he agreed and thanked her
returning the compliment

Though she disliked seafood or tickling
they had almost too much in common
both civil servants
with checkered backgrounds
pet owners and lovers
and a whole bunch of other things
it was uncanny

There was a second invitation between them
at his place
more conversation and kissing
over wine and tokes
he respected her space
appreciated the company
neither ready to go beyond first base
especially he
having just come out of
a five year relationship

Both agreed not to let it go too fast
and though there was talk
of a car trip out to the country
for lunch and photos
it ended as it had started
with a phone call

She gave a weak excuse
he accepted without argument
while contemplating what it was
he either said or did
both agreeing to be friends

Though disappointment filled his voice
he saw the glass as half full
after hanging up realizing
a little bit of some things
is better than nothing at all

© 2012

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07/15/2012

Posted on 07/15/2012
Copyright © 2026 Chris Sorrenti