Maria sat behind, oblivious to the battling couple trying to navigate the traffic. A cherubic child sat next to her, intermittently looking out of the window, and at her. Maria caught her glance when looking up from her mobile. Maria smiled back at her.
The four of them got to the cafe safely, after tension, as the driver had difficulties in finding his bearings, whilst his partner tried to impart his wisdom on the city's maze.
The waiter took their order. The atmosphere had relaxed. They were now all chatting amiably. Maria exchanged banter with the couple, and the child. She tried to be bright and witty, but her mind is floating elsewhere. Why did he refuse to come?
They discussed their plans, their lives and their ideals. One of the couple worked for an NGO, the other was in publishing. Maria asked one of the couple, the one who was driving. How was he? He looked at her evenly. The same.
Did he ever mention me?
Maria sat behind, oblivious to the arguing couple in front trying to navigate the traffic. A cherubic child sat next to her, intermittently looking out of the window, and at her. Maria caught her glance when looking up from her mobile. They smiled at each other.
The four of them got to the cafe safely, after much tension, as the driver had difficulties with his bearings whilst his partner tried to impart his wisdom on the city's maze.
The waiter took their order. The atmosphere had relaxed. They were now all chatting amiably. Maria exchanged banter with the couple, and the child. She tried to be bright and witty, but her mind is floating elsewhere. Why did he refuse to come?
They discussed their plans, their lives and their ideals. One of the couple worked for an NGO, the other was in publishing. Maria asked one of the couple, the one who was driving. How was he? He looked at her evenly. The same.
Did he ever mention me?
No.
Dinner came to an end after an hour. Maria went with the couple and child back into the car. She looked again at her mobile. The call never came. She sat back as they drove to their next destination.
From the corner of her eye, Maria noticed that the child was eyeing her, with a look that she imagined must meant empathy.
