Around Here

 A pair of Quaker parakeets at their beachfront penthouse condo at the Sago Palm. They got it for cheep.

Some children are still friendly to adults, at least with their parents nearby. That’s a good thing. I give those parents credit for striking the right balance between caution and socialization, not an easy thing to do these days. As I was leaving McD a few mornings ago, a little voice pipes up with “Bye!” I turn and it’s a little girl, sitting with her mother in a booth. I say “See ya later, alligator.” Giggles. “I’m NOT an alligator,” says she. “Oh, I’m sorry.” I lift up my sunglasses. “Oh yes, I can see now that you’re a cheeseburger.” Funniest thing she’s ever heard. “No I’m NOT!” “Well, you’re in MacDonald’s. How do I know you’re not a cheeseburger?” Another storm of giggles. “I’m a girl!” “Oh, thank you for clearing that up. I wouldn’t want you to go through life thinking you’re a cheeseburger.” Amid more hilarity, and a glimpse at her smiling mother, I make my escape. “Bye-e”, she calls out again, waving. I walk out into the morning sun, wondering if I look as much like a Happy ...

He awoke to kitchen sounds. When he opened his eyes she walked into the bedroom, wearing only his white dress shirt, playmate fashion, collar up, buttons halfway open, tails down to her thighs. You look great, he said. She came over for a snuggle, sitting on the edge of the bed. Can I wear it home? It reminds me of you. He snuffled his head against her breasts and inhaled. Eau Sauvage? She laughed and pulled away. That too, she said. And the guy thing. The Ty thing. He watched her dress. When he finally got up, after she’d gone, after a feint or two to get her back under the covers, there was a pot of coffee, still softly steaming, in the machine. By December, the infatuation had cooled and they had gone their separate ways. They crossed paths one weekend night at a fundraising auction. They chatted briefly. He thought that she smelled faintly of Eau Sauvage. Do you still have my shirt? he said. The look on her face he would never forget.