"N"

He stood quietly at the counter. Unseen...unheard. It was his first day back...from a life so far away. Off he had gone to see the world; his very young age, with its quirks and thoughtless address to reality, had led him to drugs and more. So he fled and fell into the arms of the system. Lincoln Hills fed and dressed him. Now he is back, filled with the recognizance of the dark side.

His first day back, and I saw him first. He was once my student, but that was years ago. His eyes twinkled then...as they still do now. "Hey!" I whispered. I smiled. He turned and smiled back. He toted his skateboard...a sign of interrupted innocence. I pondered how much might be left.

He walked away; I turned to my coffee. "Hey!" It lingered in my thoughts. Yes, this would be a rest stop. He will run again.