DWP - the detective

fedora hat
black and white round-toed brogues
cigarette in hand
gray trench coat
loosened tie
gun in waist
wristwatch doubles as camera
pen that takes movies
he's expensive
he's a detective
a private detective


Leilani spots him right away, sitting on the farthest side of the food court. His fedora hat tilts forward almost covering his eyes, the unlit cigarette loosely hangs from his lips but never falls, even when he talks on his cellphone. A boy sits on the tiled floor polishing his black and white Brogue shoes. He loosens his tie just slightly so and continues to leaf through his newspaper.

"The guy's a private detective," Leilani whispers to Diana who starts to turn her head to look. "Don't look! Don't look!"

"But why?" Diana asks.

"Because he might think we are looking at him or we are talking about him," Leilani says.

"But we are, aren't we?"

"Yes, but don't look. He has a gun tucked at his waist. I think he's following me,"

"What the..? Why would a detective follow you?"

"I think my husband suspects that I am seeing someone."

Diana turns her head and looks in the direction of the detective. Suddenly, she bursts out laughing, doubling over on her chair.

"Stop it, Diana!" Leilani hisses at her. "I told you to not look at him!|

"Oh, Leilani, are you and your husband role playing again?!"