The drama teacher pointed out the signs I'd painted and everyone turned to look at me instead of the signs. I wanted them to stop, but I also wanted her to keep saying they looked good, which is a pretty impossible arrangement. I smiled at the floor and someone behind me said nice job. Later I kept remembering that part, the normal voice, not a huge announcement. I was happy. Still am, actually. I showed Bea a picture and didn't add the list of things I'd fix, even though I noticed them while taking it. She said the lettering looked great. I saved the message. It's embarrassing that I want to read it again, but not embarrassing enough to stop me.

walked instead of taking the train, mostly because i'd been folded over the bench all day and wanted to feel like a person with legs, which apparently i am, though the first few blocks were stiff
once i stopped staring at my phone my neck could actually move, cool air on my face and my hands finally warm outside the shop
the skin between two fingers stung when i put them in my pocket, had forgotten about that little cracked patch
bought a sandwich and ate it sitting down, radical concept
by the time i got home the headache behind my eye had eased, not gone, but enough that i left the bench light off for once

Mon fils voulait qu'on regarde l'aquarium avec la lumière du salon éteinte. Je me suis mis à côté de lui, assis par terre, et j'ai senti mes yeux se reposer de ne plus suivre de petits détails de serrure. Au début je me penchais quand même pour regarder un poisson caché, puis j'ai posé le dos contre le canapé. Il faisait frais dans la pièce, sa jambe touchait la mienne, et on parlait de moins en moins fort sans raison particulière. Après un moment, j'avais un pied endormi et je n'osais pas bouger parce qu'il s'appuyait sur moi. Quand je me suis relevé il a ri de ma grimace. Je lui ai dit que son cinéma manquait de bons fauteuils.

Anak sulung bantu melayani pelanggan dan ada ibu-ibu bilang caranya ramah seperti saya. Wah, senang saya dengar itu, langsung saya ulang kepada Ruth di dapur. Dia bilang bagus, asal jangan ikut kebiasaan bapaknya bicara panjang sampai makanan lupa diantar. Semua ketawa, anak saya juga. Rasanya ramai dan enak sekali pagi itu, padahal antrean panjang dan saya biasanya cepat kesal kalau ada yang lambat. Lalu anak bilang minggu depan mungkin tidak bisa bantu karena ada kegiatan sendiri. Saya hampir langsung bertanya kegiatan apa yang lebih penting. Untung pelanggan memanggil duluan. Masih terasa sedikit tidak suka, meskipun saya sendiri yang selalu bilang jangan merasa wajib meneruskan warung.

The wind caught us halfway across the field and the dog turned his face straight into it as if that was what he'd come out for. I had my scarf up to my nose, but my cheeks were stinging by the time we reached the gate. Under my coat I was warm, almost too warm, and walking felt easier than it had all morning. It's the getting started that takes persuading some days. We came home with mud on everything below the knee and I stood in the kitchen while my partner pulled at one stubborn boot. Nearly took me with it. Dry socks after that felt lovely, the soft pair with the loose tops. I can still feel the cold in my cheeks, though the rest of me is quite ready for tea.

كي سكرت الصالون قعدت في كرسي الزبائن غير شوية، لقيت رجليا ما حبوش يوقفو معايا. طول النهار واقف ندور على الراس باش نساوي الديغرادي، ونحسب روحي نتحرك بزاف، بصح هي نفس الوقفة ترجع كل مرة. الصباط ولى يضيق عليا من العشية، حتى كي حليت الرباط بقات رجلي ثقيلة. التلميذ قالّي نروح نشري حاجة وهو ينظف، عادة نقول له خلي نكمل معاك، اليوم خليته. مشيت للدار بالدوران شوية، بلا ما نجري للحانوت ولا نوقف نهدر مع كل واحد. المعصم كان يطن كي حطيت الماكينة، ومن بعد هدا. غريب كيفاش نسمع جسم زبون يقول راسي عوجته ونبدل الوقفة، وجسمي أنا نستناه حتى يسكر المحل.

Der Bub wollte heute mit zum Hof, von selber, ich hab ihn nicht gefragt. Musste erst seine Stiefel suchen, die standen natürlich nicht dort, wo sie gehören. Im Stall hat er dann alles wissen wollen und beim Kalb bleiben mögen, während ich weitergemacht hab. War schon fein, ihn da so reden zu hören. Der Vater hat gesagt, jetzt hätten wir noch einen, der anschafft. Hab lachen müssen. Später wollte der Bub aber lieber auf den Traktor und nicht mehr zu den Tieren. Auch recht. Daheim hat er meiner Frau erklärt, was er alles gearbeitet hat. Ich hab nichts ausgebessert, soll er erzählen, war ja ein guter Vormittag.

the women on the farm were arguing about a radio story and each person remembered a different ending. i had heard it too. the man on the radio had said they were still waiting for an answer but by afternoon the women were saying the matter was finished. i nearly spoke. then the next basket came and the talk moved to another thing. on the walk home i tried to remember his exact words. i know what i heard but not every word. Baba asked me about the same story at home and i said we should listen to the evening news. he had already told two people the version from the farm. now he wants me to say which woman started it.

My youngest brother handled a grumpy customer while I was stuck at the fryer, and I could hear him explaining the wait without promising anything silly. Proud as. Then I opened my mouth and repeated the whole explanation myself. He looked at me afterwards and said he'd already done it. I knew he had, I'd literally been pleased about it ten seconds earlier. Felt a bit stink. Told him his explanation was good, and he said, yeah, I know. Fair enough, boss. I let him close the window at the end and resisted checking every napkin he put away, though I definitely noticed where they went.

After tasting fillings at the bakery all afternoon, I came home hungry but even the smell of dinner seemed sweet to me. My mother had made rasam, nothing to do with chocolate, and still I had that thick coating on my tongue, so I drank water before eating and the first mouthful tasted mostly of pepper. Actually it was very nice, sharp enough to make my nose run a little. I ate standing near the stove until she told me to take a plate and sit properly. By then I could taste the tamarind as well, and I wanted another helping. My hair still smelt of cocoa when I bent over the bowl, that part takes a wash to get rid of.