Outta Mind (Outta Sight)

I saw him last night. It took me by surprise when he walked into the kitchen as I turned the corner to go outside. His smile was friendly and gentle…familiar. My knees were surprisingly sturdy and my feet carried me past him and out to my car. My friend Melanie followed me. Normally after an encounter like this I panic and cannot breathe. It is different this time. I pull out some “stained glass” projects I have been working on and set them up on the trunk of the car for her to see. She is sunshine embodied. She showers me with, perhaps unwarranted, praise. I am grateful. He comes outside and strikes up a conversation. Stumbling through a description of my job and my plans for more school I shift weight from my left to my right. I try to find a place to put my hands. On my hips? No. On the trunk? No. I start putting the glass away. He tells me he is moving to the Midwest. He introduces me to his wife. I didn’t really see her until this moment. I guess she had been there all along, following him around. She seems quiet… nice. Not like me… maybe my opposite. They leave. Okay. All right. Okay. All right.