runway

she came over with her dogs

I cooked dinner

we shared a bottle of wine, talked for hours, and let the evening have its way with us

when it was time for her to go, we kissed goodbye at the door

she was wearing high heels

somehow, she turned my driveway into a runway

calm. effortless. elegant.

without looking back, she called her dogs

they came running

she walked like she trusted the ground behind her, as if the night had kept every promise it made

I never saw her smile, but I knew it was there

I laughed

there’s something dangerous about a woman who walks away looking completely at peace

the way she left stayed with me longer than the night did