This is from the last pre Covid summer that we had.
The girl and I are still friends and she says that my French gets no better.
.
Lost.
People are busy.
Talking, shopping, tied up in their own worlds.
Dodging cars, sidestepping others.
Lost in the hypnosis of their iPhones.
No-one sees him.
Lost, scared and on the edge of panic.
But I do.
Squat to his height and smile, hand extended and his taken in friendship.
Language is the problem.
Body language is not.
Relief, thanks and trust.
A look around, nobody is concerned, nobody searching.
By a cafe, we take a table to sit in full view.
Awaiting the return of a frantic family.
Beer for me, water for him.
He is so young, quiet and well behaved and we attract attention.
A Granny smiles, gabbles at me and strokes his face.
Explaining as best I can, she understands and pulls a chair.
He is happy, Grannys are unequalled in dealing with youngsters.
Hands holding his face, soft words and duvets of comfort are his to receive.
We wait.
A little boy frees himself from parental shackles and comes to us.
An eyebrow from the Mum, a shrug from me and the two are friends.
Immediately and without restraint.
Arms wrapped and happiness visible to all that are watching.
And they are watching.
But with smiles and nods.
Do I need help.
No.
We are fine.
He is falling asleep in the sunshine, head in my lap.
Stroking fingers on his head, I wait.
And it comes.
A scream, shrill and compelling.
And a girl is running.
A car screeches with gesticulating driver, horn shredding the air.
And she cares not.
She has her dog.
Pressed to her chest, streaming tears, she looks at me.
All I can do is smile.
She has her dog.
And I am happy.
Lost
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