Maurice

A woman outside Zabar’s. Sobbing. Cheap shoes, knockoff trench. Mascara bleeding like a hostage. Maurice was returning from Dean & DeLuca with my order—black figs, Sicilian anchovies, duck confit—and he stopped. Took a moment. Removed a linen handkerchief from his jacket pocket. Monogrammed. Oxblood thread. M.J.B.

He offered it to her.