The mist softened edges and turned the city into a grey monochrome. Beneath the street lamp she waited. The bars were letting out and couples hurried past, snuggled together beneath umbrellas. Taxis jockeyed for spots near exits. The next hour would be their most lucrative of the evening. Somewhere a siren wailed.

She lit a cigarette and silently berated herself for her weakness. Tomorrow she would quit for the last time. There was peace in the hustle of the city. The weather muted the sound. There was a dream-like quality to the experience as she watched. Here she was in the centre of her scene but detached, a watcher. Aware of all around her but invisible to passersby who were the centre of their particular scenes.

Tossing the butt in a puddle she headed south past office buildings and stores. Walked through patches of light and dark, shadows moving around her as she moved past windows, open doorways and under street lamps. The shadows taking on a life of their own. Sometimes just one sometimes many. Like a crowd both overtaking her and being overtaken by her.

Wet surfaces reflecting. The street dancing as traffic passed and water dripped from awnings, wires and trees. Lost in thought with care only for traffic and puddles. A slow aimless walk in the muffled world of a city just after the rain. What a wonderful time to be out without a care or an agenda.

A coffee shop sign beckons. It promises fresh coffee and "Good Eats". There is a free table by the window that seems to call her name. On the table is an abandoned newspaper, yesterday's newspaper. Sipping coffee and watching the passing parade she glances at the headlines. A brief shower causes a laughing couple to huddle in the doorway until it passes. A smile and a warm glow overcome her.

Coffee gone it's back into the monochrome world of the city and home with peace in her heart and the feeling that all is well with her world.


'til tomorrow . . .