A Terrible Influence — Heavyweight Tee

You are a terrible influence, you tell them, while choosing the place you would like to go next. They accept the accusation with a level of pleasure that makes it difficult to maintain. They also point out that they suggested one drink, you ordered food, and the idea of taking the long way home came from the person currently holding their coat. This is an irritatingly strong account of the evening.

You had intended to be sensible. Sensible can be very nice. It gets you home with groceries and remembers where the clean sheets are. But it rarely looks at you across a table like that, or notices when you change the end of a story just to make someone laugh. There are occasions when you are happy to let it find its own way home.

The attraction has acquired a particularly enjoyable rhythm. They tease you; you make them wait for the answer. You stand a little closer; they stay there. Neither person has to do all the inviting. You like the assurance of it, and you like that it leaves plenty of room to be ridiculous. You are dressed for exactly this sort of evening: the good tee, the familiar trousers, a color you can spot in the dark window beside them.

At the corner they offer to return your excellent influence and let you get some sleep. You take a moment to consider the proposal. Then you ask whether they know somewhere nearby that is still serving breakfast.

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