When The Mailman Came By

She stood in the driveway in the shade as Saturday morning unfolded. She was talking to her mother, introducing her to a neighbor from across the street who had come to tell them that the city was about to turn the water off.

The three of them stood there in the shade while the workers dug in the dirt up the street and chain saws buzzed in the treetops two houses down and dogs all around barked at all the commotion.

And the mailman came by.

He stopped and hopped out of his truck and brought her her mail. He held it out. The three of them stopped speaking.

Are you going to check your mail, or what? he asked.

There was a moment of silence.

Yes, she said meekly,but I don't get much mail.

Well that's because I have to take it back, he quipped, walking to her mailbox at the curb.

Look. It's full. And this stuff is eight days old. I've taken to marking the date on the letters.

He walked back to his van.

But then I'm just the mailman, he said and sped away.

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