Janette

Krysta Walker

               The sky was overcast and threatening rain. Most people hurried from place to place, avoiding the rain that hadn't come yet. One woman stood in place on the side walk. She checked her watch and glanced anxiously around her, pulling her coat tight. She shuffled in the cold, puffing out her cheeks. She bent to adjust the strap on her red heels.

            You stood on the opposite street. You looked at her, wondering what she was waiting for. You checked your own watch and realized how long you'd been outside the restaurant. Your cigarette had long ago burnt out, you having only smoked half of it. Everyone was probably wondering where you went. You looked through the window behind you at the people laughing and drinking wine. If you peered hard enough you could see your party towards the back. They were all smiling politely. They held onto their drinks awkwardly, not wanting to be the first to finish.

            You shoved your hands further into your pockets, touching the lint. Your attention went back to the woman across the street. She had gone into the convenience store and was buying something from the cashier. She walked back out to the sidewalk, hastily opening her purchase: a carton of cigarettes. She slid one into her mouth and shoved her hands into the pockets of her coat. She rummaged through her purse then seemed to deflate as she dropped the cigarette inside. You felt the lighter in your pocket. You pulled your hand out of your pocket and checked the time. You'd been outside for twenty minutes.

            Your hands were freezing. Your jacket was not heavy enough for the weather. An icy drop landed on your head followed by several more. The woman checked her watch one more time then held out her arm, hailing a taxi. As the yellow car pulled up to the curb, she wiped the rain from her face, or were they tears? She climbed into the car and drove away.

            You looked at the sky before walking back into the restaurant. As you sat at your seat, Sarah looked at you curiously. She touched your face with her napkin, asking about the rain. You muttered something. Her parents laughed. Her father punched you gently in your arm and wondered aloud at where you had gone.

            You looked outside at the rain and thought about the woman. You gave a vague answer. No more questions were asked. You had overcooked steak and two extra glasses of scotch and the rain continued to fall.