17 August.

Newspaper stands. They were an uncommon sight in their modern world of internet and phones that knew everything.

But there it was. Glorious. Simple. A reminder of what once was. A taste of the older Fairfax.

They both saw it. And without saying a word approached it. 

He made a comment about the importance of preservation of stands like that one. She agreed. 

Had it been four months earlier she may have been surprised by his uncanny way of saying things exactly how she would have said them. But now it was the norm. She expected it. She liked it.

So many magazines. Fashion. Cooking. Sex. One right after another. 

They laughed and criticized. It was a harbor for provoked thoughts and opinions. Others passed quickly but they lingered. Slowly moving from one side of the stand to the other. 

He kept his hand close to hers. Not possessively. Just letting her know he was there.

She acted as if she didn't notice. She noticed. She liked it. 

She read an obnoxious title out loud. Anticipating a laugh she locked eyes with the cover of the magazine. But she felt his eyes on the side of her face.

He did that sometimes. Just stared. She liked it.

And then he hugged her. The embrace lasted a few seconds and then was over. Leaving any onlooker's life unaffected. Or so they thought.

The old women approached from the left. She moved slow and steady. Life had taken it's toll on her strides. 

She trudged. Focused. Paying no attention to anyone. Just her and the pavement. As she passed behind them they stepped forward to make room. She, however, stopped. 

She looked at them and smiled. 

"Well, somebody likes somebody!"

And that was it. She continued on her way. And they turned back to the stand.

He looked at her. They said nothing. But they didn't need to.

That woman, so full of wisdom and life. She'd said it all. In the simplest terms. Somebody really did like somebody. 

It was clear.

7 August.

It had an interesting vibe. A good vibe. A fitting vibe. At least for them. 

It wasn't surprising though, the whole city felt that way. They'd saved and planned and now they were here. The place was nice. He was nice. 

The food came in courses. The china was white. Clean. It made a statement. The food was colorful. Perfect. It made a statement. The waiter was polite. Attentive. He too, made a statement. Just like they did. 

She loved it here. The noises. The smells. Him. Her. All of it. 

She sipped from the narrow glass. Busied her hands with bread and butter. But his stare remained constant. Except for maybe a flicker now and then as he admired the restaurant. 

It was a gaze. Adoration. Protection. Pride. Love. 

The conversation was comfortable. Not too intense. Just flowing and comfortable.

"How would you decorate an apartment? If you could."

Such innocent inquiries. But such power behind them. 

They were talking about the future. With such hope. Such optimism. Such excitement.

Who was to say it couldn't happen? It would, they were sure. Even if the certainty never left that dinner table. They were certain that night. 

That was all that mattered. 

The bill came inside an old novel. The spine was worn and the cover tattered. The perfect touch. 

She licked her spoon. "Ready?"

They walked into the moist air. The breeze carried the smells of the bay. They loved it here. This city was perfect. It made a statement. Just like they did. 

"Thank you."

"Of course, love."

They made their way back. Pretending for the briefest moment that this was it. This was their life. A life they'd built.

The hotel reminded them of the truth. It wasn't their life.

Not yet anyway. 

Someday though. Someday they'd have that life. That life that made a statement. Just like they did.

1 August

"Just smile." It wasn't really a question. It wasn't really a command. It was almost a compromise. A deal.

She turned her face from the camera. She avoided his lens. She didn't know why. She just did. She always did. 

He thought she was beautiful. She didn't exactly agree. But he was compromising. Just smile. 

She tilted her head. Smiling, barely. The shutter snapped. She didn't look into the camera. She looked into his eyes. They were green today. He looked down at the screen. 

His face changed. Quickly. Nobody would've noticed but her. That shift. Virtually undetectable. 

A second passed and he laughed. 

"Aww." 

It became a joke. She blushed. But she'd seen it. That look on his face. Pure adoration. 

He loved her. He told her all the time. And she loved him back. Really. She did. 

But that look. His eyes slightly widened. Seeing that picture like he was seeing her for the first time. Something confirmed itself inside her. 

And then the moment vanished. No dwelling on each other. They didn't need to. Not like other people. They were different. And that's the way they liked it. 

They were interesting people in their own rights. Neither wanted to be ordinary. Both prided themselves on being unique. 

But together, there was something else. They were comfortable. Content. Neither needed to alter themselves. And it was obvious. 

She hated cliches. But they fit. Like a puzzle.

He snapped photograph after photograph and so did she. Each featuring just one of them. All alone. 

They'd each admire the pictures of the other. How nice it was to see evidence of what they each knew. The pictures just proved it. 

To him, she was perfect. 

To her, he could do no wrong.

It was good that way. That's the way it should be.