I was thinking about what a friend had saidI was hoping it was a lieThinking about what a friend had saidI was hoping it was a lie

I was supposed to meet someone for lunch yesterday.

I was there five minutes early.

I sat on a bench outside the restaurant and waited.

The sun was shining. It felt warm on my sunburned skin.

Many thoughts crossed my mind; some trivial, some weighty.

I could have remained there in the sun the entire day, watching busy people bustle past.

Instead, I only sat there for 25 minutes.

That was long enough to wait for her.

I moved on.

I walked into a shoe store and I stood, staring blankly at a row of hiking boots, needing to make a purchase, but unwilling to flag down a salesperson to assist me.

Still feeling warm from the sun, I really didn't want to break my reverie.

So, I stood there.

After about five minutes, a salesman walked over and helped me.

I had to order the boots I needed because my feet are an odd size. I gave them $ 25 and they promised to call me when the boots arrived.

I walked out of the store, back up the street and around the corner to my car. The interior was really warm from the sun. The leather was hot.

It felt good.

I drove to the Co-op and made a salad. I poured a cup of bison vegetable soup.

I saw some people I knew, but I averted my gaze because I didn't feel like talking.

I waited in line and paid the friendly lesbian working the register. I smiled at her.

I took my tray upstairs and sat at the counter by myself to eat. The food was really good.

When I finished, I looked at my watch. It was five minutes to one.

It seemed that far more than an hour had passed.