sitting on the old wooden bench, hunched over with her left elbow on her knee, she eats a pale yellow apple. there is a bottle of water and a knapsack on the ground beside her. in front of her is a vista of the ocean, with a stretch of mountains behind it, a painting of some kind.

the apple crunches, audible to the two other people also sitting at the scenic view point. it makes a crisp, slightly moist sound. it tastes mildly bitter.

she contemplates the bright afternoon, taking respite from the rushing around she spent the morning doing. this scene inspires her, and she regrets having come here. a beautiful view i'll have to abandon in a moment, she thinks. a few minutes later she picks up her belongings and limps back in the direction she came.

[10/20/03]