It had been an exceedingly long day.  Full day at work, followed by errands.  My legs were sore and muscles buzzing with ache.  It was around 10:30 at night and I had just finished my final errand of the night:  a few essentials at the grocery store. My shopping bag weighed heavy on my shoulder and my stomach rumbled, reminding me that I hadn’t eaten since that half-sandwich back at 2:00pm.

I became aware that a strange man had begun walking alongside me, a little too close.  I bristled.  Keys in my hand, I tightened my grip, should I need to defend myself.  I knew he was preparing for a drive-by.  I steeled myself and clenched my teeth.

“Look at us, walking along like this,” came his low, melodic tone.  “We make a cute couple.”

Caught off-guard, I laughed, in spite of myself.

“You have a good night,” he wished me, walking ahead as I turned the corner. 

Still on guard, I never looked at him directly, but murmured into the darkness: 

“You too.”