S A T U R D A Y . J A N U A R Y . 1 6 T H . 1 9 9 9

a day in the life - an on display collaborative for January

I T ' S . 1 0 . A M

Like buttermilk and spit, that's what my mother always called it, the color of our winter skin. I have my mother's skin and I suppose I should be thankful, she looks fantastic for her age.

It's 10am and time for my morning tea (black currant) and a very toasted bagel, plain no spread.

I'm working today and the Candy kitchen is the only place I can pick up a toasted bagel right about now. Even my reflection in the storefront window reveals my pale white skin, always makes eyes look dark and sullen.

I hate this place, the Candy kitchen, the service is horrendous and food always looks like they picked it up off the floor. But it's the only place I can run to quick from work and still leave the shop open.

Dazed and lost in thought, of what I can't recall it may have been that of nothing who knows; it's been that kind of month. I felt him staring but I pretended not to notice, some sort of game I think I'm learning to perfect until of course I heard his words.

"Why so sad pretty lady?" he inquired. I still didn't really make the connection in the start of this conversation; maybe I just hoped he was talking to someone else. But he persisted, "You look as if you've lost your best friend." Why is this man talking to me I just wanted to be alone, I remember thinking. I finally looked at him, eye to eye; he was a soft kind looking man perhaps in his 70's having breakfast on the counter near to where I sat as well.

"Oh it's nothing, I'm just tired is all", I lied. "Are you sure that's all it is?" he continued. How long does it take to toast a freaking a bagel echoed in my brain; I could just leave without it I started to debate.

I could feel the tears starting to well up, even as I was angry that this man could tell I wasn't 'just tired'. Maybe everyone could tell and were too polite to comment, maybe I wasn't as good as I thought at masking the sadness that had made it's way under my skin.

Terrific, now I'm pale, transparent and hungry.

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