do you remember me

he saw a flicker of memory cross her face

like a small blue fire hovers at the edge of the light

visible to him and him alone

he asked how many children she had

she said 3

yes I knew that … how did you know that ?

because I remember your face when you told me in a dream

you seemed quite sure about the number

and you my special friend

I have 2 I’ll show you their pictures

her face quickened she said I would love that

they studied the images their heads tilted as if at prayer

do you remember 35 years ago when you woke me and said we don’t have much time

no

well you were right and we don’t have much time now

we have 5 minutes 1 for each of our children

he rose and saw her out he opened the door of her car

she said she remembered it well … so like you … she smiled … she had always smiled

later he walked back to the hotel in the rain which put out the fire at the edge of the light

and she was dead

that he would not forget