arena

Approaching, smiling and saying "hi" in a voice that thaws whatever was frozen weeks before.
Responding, an exaggeratedly awkward "HI" back, playing the moment for its latent comic potential, elongating the vowel and stretching it out, reaching out and testing, testing, one two, one two.
"I like your hair"
"Thank you"
"So, have you had any more writing published lately?"
An answer is jabbered back, and a smile maintained while eye contact allowed to break off. On my part, that is.
It somehow feels like a reprieve, though from what I couldn't possibly say. At least now there can no longer be any secrets.