I pulled into the Starbucks parking lot with the force of a lion after its prey and with the lethargy of one whom had not eaten in weeks drudging up that last ounce of strength to obtain survival
my eyelashes had mascara from the night before and my hair was thick with day-old hairspray hiding behind sunglasses, I shifted my weight for relief from the flip-flops rubbing unpleasantly between my toes
keenly aware of the headache above my eyes I got my coffee and was prepared to flee back to my den where I could devour it, keeping a wary eye on would be thieves as my fatigue and I walked hastily towards the exit
Life happened. To my left, sat a couple side by side they wore the casual clothes of confidence and serenity he sat by the fireplace, his glasses sat at the end of his nose her body leaned close to the man she loved, and forward to see
the book that was laid open on the table in front of them curious minds swallowed the words that were offered there under gray hair, hands holding, faint smiles formed on their lips I had never seen such a portrait of true contentment
outside, the image kept speaking to my brain, despite my preoccupation and I saw you. and I saw me. in thirty years, a virtual lifetime our aging together; maturing, evolving, creating side by side, ever content, with books, love and coffee.