Saturday afternoon. 3:17 p.m.
The small park near her apartment was quiet rain had stopped, leaves still dripping. Benches wet. Few people.
Tomasz waited on the same bench as yesterday. Dark coat. Gray scarf. Coffee in hand. He looked relaxed this time. Practiced.
My mother appeared at 3:22.
She wore the green scarf I bought her last Christmas. Hair loose. Small smile when she saw him.
They hugged light, friendly. Like old acquaintances.
I watched from the car across the street. Tinted windows. Driver silent. Phone linked to the button camera again.
Kasia sat beside me. Silent. Watching the feed.
Tomasz stood. Offered his arm.
She took it.
They walked the path. Slow. Talking.
He said something. She laughed, real, soft. The kind she used to save for me.
Kasia's voice was low.
"He's good at this. Gentle. Listens."
I didn't reply.
They stopped at a coffee cart. He bought her tea. Chamomile. Her favorite.
She accepted. Smiled up at him.
They sat on another bench.
