brisk

: the one gray hair separated onto his brow

: the second visit, which sparked a physical reaction

: his request that we take a smoke break

: his laughter; lots of it

: that I shouldn't

: that I want to anyway

: his lack of things I consider terribly important and therefore compelling in their absence.

: the banter, the sort that is difficult to even recall word for word, phrase for phrase, subject to subject

: he arrived early today and was it a reference to something I said, a chiding I made, the last time we saw each other

: "there's a lot of life to live, you have to be awake for it though."

: then today, [sarcastically] "I'm saying yes to life, Christine."

: frought with the intent to impress him,

: I am left pink and embarassed.