Another Day, Another Character Study

He tosses a single pink rose arrayed within baby's breath on the table. I catch his eyes and smile. He points a sturdy but wrinkled finger at me, "Not for you." We both laugh; his demeanor relaxes. It's four in the afternoon and the the smell of aftershave floats off of him. I wonder how long he stood in front of the mirror, working to get every strand of hair slicked back. His head looks like a field of freshly mowed grass. The comb marks appearing carefully winnowed.

Five minutes later, he glances out the window, and then quickly takes a swig of coffee attempting casual, as she makes her way to the door. He swallows and then wipes both hands on his black slacks; casual off, he jumps up to greet her.

Right hand extended, "I'm Tom."
"Ann."

They shake, then their hands drop awkwardly to their sides. He offers her the pink rose. "How sweet!" I can't see his face, but the half-relaxed, half-stiff stance of his shoulders belays a blush.

Tom is a truck driver with a hobby in photography, who has never listened to books on tape. Ann has a down-syndrome daughter who is 31 and doesn't like being compared to a banana. Ann has listened to a few books on tape. They both use Blue Tooth -especially when in California. They both go to church. They both have crow's feet around their eyes and easy smiles.