Another question -

She's asking him another question he can't answer
and that word -
'relationships' -
cuts back here from their table
as he looks aside and through the window
on to New Street.
There's a 'why' at least once
more
and she's stopped smiling
now it must be serious
and he should know.

Two teenagers (or early 20s,
from where I sit)
lock heart-to-mind in the coffee-shop
lean elbows at each other 'cross the table.

For his part now he's getting into stride
It seems
(his back's to me I can't hear what he says);
but her intent outstaring eyes
the lips unsmiling
pause
make him raise hands back in defence
of some point or another;
steady, plodding, slow he moves
but she's already thought past this
"yeah yeah yeah but -"
and she leans her head on one hand
bored and unconvinced.
"I was thinking about you the other day - "
she goes on "And - "
I don't make out the rest.

Why is the male brain like some brontosaurus of discussion
while she dives past,
mammal-like,
runs rings
dives back
stops stares
till all his arguments collapse?

"To do it properly I need - "
she's saying,
and
maybe it's not relationships
they're 'friends',
ah, that:
there's something else, a course, or such;
"I absolutely love it"
then
"humanity, these kids ... "

Perhaps some years hence she'll be heading up a project,
charity in Africa,
an NGO.

Still, she's happier now,
a real smile,
not the stressed, adapt-coerce strain of the woman unhappy in love she can't give up:
and she's laughing,
this is better,
and
he only glances out the window;
this time he doesn't look as if he's dodging blows or trying to be elsewhere.
He's even smiling too
I can see his profile as he turns, he's taken off his glasses ...

Reflective, she:
as he stands,
off for a comfort break.

Umbrellas up outside.
In here, wifi connection's slow.

Back in his chair in front of me
he sways to one side, and her smile breaks through the gap:
she lifts her soft arms tidying the smile.
They lean half-close, or more, it's hard to tell.

Outside, the rain dies down.

[copyright Jon Andrews 2010].