It was a beautiful day, early autumn, colors just appear,
late flowers, mums and astors, birds flock, he is not there.
Throw a ball on the roof of the garage, catch it aimlessly. See the girl coming from next door. She is fair, red-head with hint of freckles, wearing her Saturday jeans and plaid blouse, hair tied back, carrying a couple of books. "Hi Jimmy", she calls. "Hi Mary, where ya goin" "Downtown to the library, want to go" "Sure". We walk down the tree lined street, it's warm in the sun, light breeze tosses the leaves around, past the pool hall and the church, reach the school, the kids playing ball in the yard wave. A couple more blocks, pass the gas station, then the butcher shop, grocery across the street. Train goes by, silver cars shining. Round the corner at the drug store, Main Street, small shops; jewelry, furniture, clothing, a restaurant, library, Harold's Barber Shop, 5 and 10, bowling alley, bar, Methodist church, Drs. office, insurance, a couple of aparment houses at the end, and one stop light. The library is busy, Mary turns in her books, Miss Mason asks if she can help, we say no, walk towards the back. I check out the science fiction, a new Heinlein. Mary goes to the literary section, comes out with an Emily Bronte and Emily Dickinson. We check out. "Want to stop at the Moonlite?" "No, lets go on down to the store" We walk in to Walkers, the aromas are mixed and wonderful. I find the latest Superman, scandalous, fifteen cents. Mary gets a notebook and pen, Mrs Johnson takes our money. We head to the fountain. Bea's working, "Well if it ain't Jimmy and Mary. You kids have have been hanging out a lot together lately. What'll it be." "Two sodas, chocolate right?, two chocolate sodas." "Coming right up." I reach over and touch her hand.
Screen door opens, woman sticks her head out, graying but once beautiful. "James, it's time for your medicine." He grumbles but lifts himself up. "Stop grumbling, you sound like an old bear." "Mmmmmmm..." Swallows his pills and grabs the paper, heads back to the porch. "Susie called, Michael got two A's and made the team. They may come up for your birthday." "Mmmm..." Wonders, "Where has the time gone?" Mary comes out with her knitting, sits in her rocking chair. Jimmy reaches across and touches her hand.
