I.
We lean against the white poles outside of the theater. The lettering on the marquee brings a smile to my face. A child begins to play in the fountain, her mother kneeling behind her. Did I ever do that? I must have but I can’t recall. Jets of white water shooting into the air. The pool has a green tint. She plays at the edge in her yellow dress.

II.
It’s nice here. I don’t mind that the fans are advertising what I suspect to be a vodka. Very Stoic. Very Russian. And vodka is the drink to drink today. So I’m comfortable with it. And it’s so hot here tonight. I’m grateful to Stoic Russian Vodka company for making the fans. I should drink more. Maybe I’ll order a martini.

III.
I look at the empty chair beside me and I wonder where she is. I thought she would be here by now. I begin to worry that she won’t show. Then I remember that we’ve never met. Or have we? Perhaps she is here already.

I wonder.

IV.
It’s nice to be with friends, to have a cocktail in the early hours of the evening. It’s nice.

V.
Maybe she isn’t coming tonight.