mongol pencils are great

We wandered around the mall, aimlessly, maybe even twice. Going up escalators, leaning over railings, stopping by fountains, passing through walkways, crossing the street, running down stairs and all the while, we never stopped talking.  We were yuppies acting like teenagers. 

I think it was humid but we kept holding hands anyway. You laughed at the beads of sweat on my nose and decided to be a gentleman and look for two things: air-conditioning and seats.

Then we found this place. Literally crammed underneath the escalator, it felt like space converted as an afterthought to make just a little more money. 

We walked in and snickered. How the hell does this place make money? Who cares, it's cozy, cold and empty.  Good for us!  

We picked the booth farthest from the door and nearest the counter. Booths were our thing.  Comfy-er than regular chairs but not quite couches either.  High backs gave us our own little world.  Roomy enough for my hobo purse and your backpack....occasionally an umbrella too.

Oooohhh, there was a magazine rack! I grabbed random dog-eared and slightly tattered fashion, lifestyle and teen publications while you signaled the waiter for a menu.  I plonked them down on the marble table and slid in next to you.  You put your arm around me.  We pored over the menu and made fun of all the corny dessert names.  Not a surprise that I pick vanilla and you some whatever chocolate thing. In between mouth fulls, we argue loudly which tastes better.  The sleepy server shoots us a look.  So you intently tinker with your phone.  I absently flip through the glossy pages.  We make small talk in unhurried, hushed tones now, and soon lapse into companionable silence.

You hold my hand again.  Who would have thought that something as rough as your calloused palm had any propensity for tenderness.  The kind that cradles mine like a hatchling about to cry.

And I just want to freeze this moment in time.  But of course it just melts away, like ice cream, without a freezer, in summer.

*photos grabbed from marcruiz graphic designer