He's facing away, scanning the sidewalk, anticipating her approach from the usual direction. He’s so accustomed to this corner that he knows its every detail. As always, he wonders if the love shared by BH and KL, whose initials are hugged inside a careful heart, is as permanent as the cement beneath his feet suggests.

He listens in vain for her purposeful high-heeled clack. He slumps, hands hanging like apologies at his sides. In a moment she’ll see him like this from behind and turn around in her soft-soled flats. She can't break up with him in these mute shoes.