Back to School

Three ladies: one subject. It all takes place on a bus. With Keanu Reeves. But, it's not what you're thinking: University has not become a lame version of Speed. Long bus rides and a female voice keeps telling us where we are.

'Nowhere,' she says.

'You don't want to start from there. You want to start from somewhere else.'

'What kind of bus are we on?'

'One driven by Keanu Reeves.'

'Really? I thought he'd hit rock bottom after he and Diane Keaton split up, but damn.'

'Ewwww!! What?!?!'

'Dude, seriously. But I'd do her.'

'Yeah. Totally. Without the glasses...'

'Does anyone know which one of these quotations marks each of us is?'

'Does it matter? Maybe there's three people here. Maybe there's two.

Maybe there's just one.'

'No, no. There's definitely more than one.'

'Um, yeah, and the second one is struggling to think of anything to say.'

'That's OK. She doesn't determine the plot.'

'There's a plot?'

'You didn't bring it with you?'

'"I thought you had it." Cheesy movie joke.'

END SCENE

Fall, Autumn

I don't know how I know it's autumn in England, but I do. At noon time, on a Tuesday afternoon in my garden as I eat my lunch outside. I am here because it is sunny, not too chilly, and I know that it is autumn. There is the light, a certain mixture of smells, a calm.

This is new to me, never experiencing autumn here before, but I imagine it is the same sensory inputs that let me know it's fall in California. It is usually at dusk one early evening when I have happened to set out for walk and there is always wood smoke in the air. The smell of it permeates drifts above the streets and the light is lower through the trees. Their colors are changing too, but they alone are not the indication.

In my first literature class in college, I read a poem about an evening football game at a Texas high school, the fervor of the action, the setting of the scene. There were those in my section who had no idea what the poem was talking about. I said, to me, this poem is fall back home. The full moon rising orange over the eastern mountains, visible from the high school bleachers painted red and gold. The players and cheerleaders on the field below, the spectators bundled, chatting, distracted, the high school band playing.

A Work Day Complete

It was well past 9:00 PM before Alex walked into the guest bedroom where my office is and I realized we hadn't really sat down together yet. Been in the house together, yes, but not enjoyed each others' company and connected.

When she came into the bedroom though I wrapped my arms around her waist from where I was sitting and asked for time. I got it, although it's not for giving. I think is what it might be like; I like it.

To Do Tonight

• Exit Counselling for Student Loans
• Iron shirts and trousers
• Dishes/Recycling/Bin
• Unpack 1 suitcase
• Make a plan for tomorrow
• Check uni email
• Check gmail
• Eat pie
  

For Saturday - SoHo

'I'd spot you 20 quid for a taxi. I know you'd be good for it. Or you could write a few lines about me!'