At a Garage in Tallman

I brought my car in for inspection at Tallman Tire and Auto. A tall, thin man with graying brown hair under a Yankee fitted cap smiles. He was one of Frankie’s baseball coaches—Tyler’s dad.

We talk, friendly but guarded. He came for an inspection, too—after getting a ticket in Tuxedo Ridge. He’d gotten away with it since September—until then.

He mentions work—he’s in advertising—and then gets up to pay. A pleasant goodbye, and then he’s off.

I ask the attendant for an inspection and then settle in a comfortable, felt armchair.

Morning traffic passes by. I wait alone.

At last.

Sunlight off a Chrysler—

Echoes of friendly banter

in an empty room

first published in Image Curve, August 29, 2014

Photograph by Ryan McGuireo