a private talk

"You're here."

"I am."

"I'm glad."

"Me, too."

"You look all right." A nodding once-over.

"Everything's normal today."

"I'm keeping an eye, just between you and me."

"I know. It's okay. Thank you."

A chance meeting before school in the bustling commons. Our paths not quite crossing, but almost. We smile small, quiet smiles as our eyes meet and hold. We say it all without uttering a word. Nobody else is the wiser.