Promenade
By Shoshana

They walk side by side down the grassy length of the mall, leisurely
strolling on a warm spring day. The man is tall, his companion barely
reaches his sternum. He leans toward her, anxiously listening to
every word. Her neatly coiffed hair is buffeted by the gentle
breeze from time to time. From time to time, a slender hand
reaches down and tucks stray tendrils behind her ear. She smiles,
demurely, enchanted by his company.
  
Frisbee catching dogs and kite flyers mingle with school children,
playing Tag after their trip to the Capitol. A six-year old boy
and girl whirl rapidly around the couple, she in pursuit of him, both
screeching in delight. The man and woman, briefly startled, laugh
heartily and continue their promenade.
  
They stop for ice cream, waiting patiently in line with eager
youngsters, sloppy vanilla cones already dripping down brand-new
travel outfits. They take seats on a well-worn bench, content,
gazing nowhere and everywhere. The man reaches over and captures
a stray drip from her chin, licking it with his finger, feigning
annoyance. She sends him a silent scold, then throws him a smile
and returns her attention to the panorama before them.

They rest a quarter-hour more, quietly glancing at each another,
speaking little. She takes his hand, caresses it briefly, then gently
places it by his side. Finally, he reaches over, touches her cheek
and reminds her of the time. They slowly rise, striding off with a
quickened pace, deftly circumnavigating soccer players, picnickers
and young lovers, spread out on bright plaid blankets in the sun.
 
Halfway to their destination, he grabs her hand, pulling them into
an alcove, concealed from prying eyes. With little protestation, she
allows them to kiss, passionately, briefly. She reaches up to stroke
his cheek, wordlessly reassuring him that there will be plenty of time
this evening, plenty of time for kisses beyond the world's ken. He
caresses her a few moments longer, reluctantly releasing her, then
following as they head toward a dank, subterranean office, far from
the brilliance above.

fin