The gurgle of water in the sink from the running dishwasher. Her Portuguese chatter on the phone with an overseas relative. The tapping of my fingers on a MacBook keypad. The rushing whirl of air as the AC engages. The sounds of sequestered living on day two of egg-cooking heat. clear sky the heat shimmer…

Searing heat on the first day of the first heatwave of this summer. We make a tactical retreat from the deck to the living room. & even though the AC hadn’t turned on before mid-afternoon, we felt an all-too-sultry sensation even inside. But the day’s errands continue. Mira keeps her appointments. & I write a…