41
“When everything closed down
I felt the closing in myself
And what
Would I be doing with
Concepts like redemption?”
K.B.
*
The pub has a huge sun lounge at the back. Despite the outside deluge, it was bright and welcoming. The barman nodded, said,
“I’ll come over.”
We sat and she said,
“This is my treat.”
I figured she didn’t get to say that very often. When the barman came, she said,
“A small sherry.”
I ordered Jameson.
We sat in silence till the drinks came. She didn’t seem uncomfortable with that, as if it was what she most experienced. I raised my glass, said,
“To…Bill.”
And she began to cry.
Not the loud sobbing type. Worse, that deep internal heaving that is horrendous to witness. Tears rolled down her cheeks, plinked into her glass. I stared at the rain.
What I
