It seemed a simple thing.
An early movie then dinner
sharing a chocolate shake, hamburgers, 
onion rings, just the two of us
out in the world.

Families, kids watching Olympics 
on a wide screen,
music in the background.

Sitting there thinking
how long it had been since we’d 
done something like this.
Almost carefree, despite the walker. 
How normal it felt—
the old normal.

Few things are simple.
Peel a layer and hot tears well.
You look up, chocolate rimmed glass in hand. 
What’s wrong? Nothing I can explain, I say,
but it’s not bad, don’t worry.
And the beat goes on.