Black Fox Summer Issue (#12)

gave you enough time to cross these long intersections before the light began blinking. If you were old and couldn't move too fast, there you were, trying to get across with everybody staring at you. He wasn't hurrying. He would get to the other side when he got to the other side.

That's all there was to it.

He caught her looking back at him and looked behind himself. Nobody behind him, nothing to see. What's up with her?

Wherever she was going, she must be running late.

She ought to have somebody taking her around, but he guessed she didn't. Otherwise she wouldn't be out here with her cane trying to get to the store, or wherever, and home before her knees started hurting her.

Right on cue, the "Walk" light winked frantically.

He tsk’d, watching the old lady quicken her steps as best she could. They must know how many steps it took to get to the middle, and then they made you nervous, tried to rush you across. They ought to put a little more time on the clock for old people. He glanced at the waiting cars, didn't hurry his walking in the sunshine pace. They’d just have to wait.

The old woman reached the curb and looked back at him. Sunshine flashed on her wire-framed glasses. Her mouth trembled, lips parted as if she were about to say