12

    They stopped to eat near the place with the billboard.  The crowd-creating

windows made it lit up red and pink and gold with people inside, laughing

and dancing to screaming music. When they came in Myra turned back

halfway to see the empty parking lot filled with decade-old cars maneuvering

into or out of or hovering within their spots.  

**************************************************************************

    “Are you ok?” Emmet asked, despite himself.

    "Yes.” She spoke very precisely.  "I was thinking how lonely these

windows are..."

    In the cafe, the lights were too blue and the counter was oily.  There was

no one else but a man in a tweed jacket and his fifteen year old girl,

giggling in the corner.  The radio crooned lewdly.  Myra began reading

again as Emmet ordered.  They ate and left and he slept in the car.