Bridget waits for the COVER of a crowd. Nothing quite like normal noise and activity for hiding things you would rather not have noticed. Walking normally, as goes down the market street, she stops in front of a shoe store. To anyone watching, they would not think twice: nicely dressed woman, staring at some high-end shoes. As a small group of people proceed down the sidewalk behind her, another woman pushes between them. There is no OVERT motion. No one would have noticed that this second woman pushed a note into Bridget’s waiting hand. She waits a bit, and then casually walks on, finally ducking into a coffee shop and sitting at a table right in the middle. She orders a cappuccino and a scone. Once these arrive, it feels safe enough to open the note. Bridget reads what her next steps are – a rendezvous in Cedar GROVE, near the cemetery. Bridget frowns. She would prefer something a little less cloak-and-dagger. Oh well, maybe the other side has something to PROVE. Or (shudder), is she being set up? That last time didn’t go well – her car still bears the marks of having to dodge bullets as she DROVE away from a midnight meeting in a dark and deserted place. At least this meeting is for 7 pm. So, a not-yet-dark and deserted place. That sounds only minimally better than last time. Wonder if she could get away with asking Beverly to hide in the back seat – might be good to not go alone to this one.

Georg’ann

In the NIGHT, I move strategically
trying not to disturb the cat.
Sometimes it turns out the lump is blanket,
not feline, she jumped down.
Its not infrequent that my body defers,
tries not to disturb
tries not to unsettle
tries to give space
While craving to be close.

How does a 6 pound cat
SCORE the entirety of a full bed
whether there or not.
What is there to PROVE
in not claiming space
in not claiming comfort
in legs contorted.
As if there were a DROVE
of beasts here.
Despite the disturbance,
I like her here, even when
its just the assumption of her
presence that I accommodate

Heather