The Coming Home of Young John, A Split Expedition

She happened to glance over the wall to see him sitting there, quietly, alone. She imagined what face might greet hers if she could see his, but his head was bowed. Before she knew what she was doing, his name formed on her lips.

But she caught herself in the breath and the heartbeat just before one does the very thing one wants to do. She regarded their present proximities aznd situations quickly and with great alacrity of mind. She paused to breathe and then saw what she never expected from Young.

A cross here, a small prayer, another cross. Young in prayer?

He smoothed the napkin on his lap she had allowed to go unnoticed in her first sight of him. He opened his turkey club on wheat with hunger in his heart. With that hunger he sensed her and looked with a smile. Embarassed for the stupid look glazed over her face, she gave a small wave and resumed her seat beyond the protective wall.

Young thought to himself, "What a beautiful smile"

*****************

She entered the house only to find him asleep on the couch. Curled up in a fleece throw, Cinderella emblazened across it, she shook her head. She gave him on long look and remembered why she was out in the first place.

He awoke with a start, "Hey babe, how's Lisa doing?"

His sleepy voice and startled nature gripped her slightly when she remembered who she was out with and why she had lied in the first place, "Lisa's fine. Go to bed"

"Ok" where Young would normally make a conversation, she cut him to the end. Where he would typically put his arm on her shoulder and help her out of her coat, she was presently hanging the hanger on the cool steel bar. Where he would kiss her on the forehead and carry her up the stairs to make love to her he remembered he never did that in the first place.

And he remembered why she was lying in the first place but forgot why he didn't atleast try for her affections and attentions in the first place.

And now they were both assuming last place, while she slipped her slivery foot gracefully into the bath she drew while her was remembering and he took up the flannel sheets on their double bed.

Thus ended another long day for Young John; A day in two parts and more than completely unequalled and unimportant.