A Fine Mist Of Rain Fell

I stepped out on to the street. I pulled the gate shut. I stood for a minute looking up and down the street, you know, as you do. Or is that, as I do? Maybe. I don’t know. The street was quiet. The air was cold, I shivered. I rubbed my arms with my hands, up and down. I pulled my jacket tight. The light was grey, a fine mist of rain fell.

Should I have bought an umbrella, I thought.

I was taking myself out for breakfast, I just felt like it, big breakfast. My stomach rumbled.

I headed up my street.

So, Steve had gone. He’d packed up his stuff and had gone to Sydney. He said he needed to get away.

From me, I asked. He didn’t answer.

I didn’t want him to go? No, I didn’t. I liked him very much. 

Did I miss him? Not yet, it had only been days, but I will.

I whistled Buster and he trotted along behind me. The fine mist of rain stops.

We crossed Drummond Street and headed to Lygon Street. I watched Buster on the busier road, but he stayed close.

Alone for breakfast? Good thing I don’t mind being on my own. In fact, I like it. Even better, I can do both.

Buster sticks right behind me. He has such concentration on his wrinkled face keeping up behind me.

I take a seat outside one of my favourite cafes, good thing they have shelter from the big verandas. I order poached eggs on toast with bacon. I order coffee too, of course.

Only stupid Melbournite’s sit outside in the cold, or those with dogs. Our furry four legged buddies are the best company. Our true love, something dog owners know.

So, I guess I am officially single, not a state I find myself in often, but not a sate I mind so much. I quite like my own company.

I wondered what Steve was doing now?

My coffee arrived. Buster lay out flat on the paving, in what I call his super dog pose. I stared off into the distance and felt the world around me.

The guys bought my food.

I watched the punters pass by. Did I need another guy? I laughed to myself, they come along, there is no shortage of them. Blonde, dark, maybe one of each. European, Asian, whoever comes along. English, American, I’d prefer a pomy boy if that is the choice. Italian, Greek, yes, sure.

There’s no hurry.

That is a nice place to be in life, the there-is-no-hurry place. It’s nice, I like it. I slid eggs and toast into my mouth.

I finished my food. I finished my coffee and ordered another cup straight away.

I push my chair back and stretch my legs out.

The beginning of the next phase, I thought. Big breath. Am I ready? You are never ready, are you? But, it’s always nice to be entering into a new phase, not to say I want to forget the old, but new is good, often good. But, as Superman would say, upward and onward. Is that what Superman said?

I drank my second coffee. I paid the bill. Buster was up on his paws after one come on. He and I trotted down Lygon Street together. I don’t need a new boyfriend, my best boyfriend was right next to me.