Cityscapes

takes their orders. The Raptors go into overtime. The girl goes to the bathroom and bumps and there are others with her, on their own game. She returns to Yosh and others have joined, both men, both native.

One of them makes a soundless whistle as she sits. The other doesn’t seem to know he’s in a bar, the ice melts in his drink. Neither of them look her in the eyes. Yosh introduces them, the girl nods. Yosh and the men talk about things, the girl’s mind picks over the bar. A cover band sets up on stage and a few patrons are annoyed at the hiss of audio equipment cutting into their basketball. The Raptors eventually lose and a few of the older folk shuffle off. The atmosphere is colder.

These guys have stuff, Yosh says to the girl.

The natives take notice of her it seems for the first time.

We don’t have to go anywhere.

What’s your names, the girl asks.

Kukwes, says the little one.

Bear, says the big one.

40