Still in Her Driveway

pulled out of dana's driveway and stopped at the end of her street. engine off, just sitting there. we used to close places down, get the polite second check from the waiter, then keep going in the parking lot for another hour. tonight we ran out somewhere around nine.

nothing happened. she asked how work was and i asked how the baby was sleeping and then we both reached for our waters at the same time and neither of us filled the quiet after. i kept thinking i should go back in and say the real thing. i couldn't tell you what the real thing is.

her porch light clicked off before i had my seatbelt on. not rude. she just didn't know i was still out there. i watched the house go dark one window at a time, ordinary, the way it does when someone's only going to bed.

i started the car. earlier i'd told her we should do this way more often. i think i even meant it when i said it.