55

As they sit there, companionably
in the late afternoon sunshine
he thinks he sees her
the silver-haired girl
differently dressed, it’s true
wearing a brief top & some jeans
coming out of a shop
on the other side of the street

By the time he gets across
cars still scare him a bit
so big & fast
he hasn’t yet got his timing back
she’s gone
he tries casting up & down the street
in both directions
but there’s no sign of her

Annie’s still waiting there patiently
as he trails back

Is Annie’s uncle Bob or Bill?

Inconsistencies are scary