January 15, 2024:
Beautiful, Hispanic, athletic. Throws her book bag over the retaining wall before clambering over herself, sees me surprised to see her, a vision in dos trenzas, exiting the riverbed.
"I'm not a terrorist," she assures, slightly breathlessly. "Not to worry."
Laughing, I tell her, "I'm not worried. You're very charming, actually."
She laughs, gathers her book bag. "Thank you," she says, over her shoulder, walking away. "I'm only taking a shortcut."
------------
I'm thinking, something worries me.
"Hey charming terrorist," I call out. She stops, turns, raises an eyebrow. "I wouldn't cut through that wash. I see some sketchy dudes down there, sometimes." Sketchier even than me, I think to myself.
She thinks, ponders, just for a second. Nods, waves, continues toward home.