61.

Ayesha was out of her apartment early Saturday morning and on a long bicycle ride to meet with Dimitri. She had called him the previous day as promised and talked him into coming out to meet her.

She got there before he did and waited, slumped against a tree. She entertained herself by picking apart a flower, plucking petal after petal from its stalk. Most trees in the park were high, with fattened stems and robust branches boasting bright green leaves and some spotting fruits. The floors were covered with dried, fallen leaves that crunched whenever she moved her feet.

Though unseen, she could hear the birds twittering and moving from branch to branch. Their calls rang clear in what would have otherwise been silence.

It was a lovely spot for a first date. Peaceful and quiet, especially early in the mornings on weekdays. Ayesha hoped they would have a bit of privacy and space to themselves. She didn’t come around often, but it was the first place that came