We laugh. The kind of laugh that builds rather than fades. My cheeks flush with healthy shame. He comes in peace and disarms my self-importance and we laugh. 

In this laugh I remember when my heart was lighter. When my time wasn’t counted and measured. When my mouth turned up more than down. 

I hold onto the laughter and let it ease through me. He laughs too. Seeing the jokes on me. He likes to be clever and so he is. 

And even though the world continues to crash around us, I hope we can laugh.