the taste of coins

The best part of the day comes at 5:30, when I pick up E from detskie sad. I often see her before she sees me. Her fluffy green jacket is still a little big. She stands with giant eyes, chattering with the other children. I see them dancing in a circle, holding hands. I see them running and hiding behind bushes, and under the apple tree.

I had just seen the blind girl from poje (later) in the street.

She was walking better, but still not very well. I thought to call out to her, but felt this was intrusive. Somehow I thought she would need to recognize me - not the other way around - for this sort of run-in to work.

Her eyes wide open, her face turned towards the sky and the light rain that fell on both of us.

Later, E came back to the office with me, where she would decorate the room with corn flakes, dolls and clay.

Passing under Smolenskaya, some stray dogs gnawed on blood red bones. Some guys sat around them, drinking cheap beer and smoking. I felt an algae taste in my mouth, like the back of my throat was covered with pennies. I could feel a cold coming on, and surrendered to it.

The snow was coming, and it would be easier once it arrived. A sort of relief, for the long slow winter to start.