In my town there was only one place open after ten o’clock,
a kiosk that sold hot dogs, hard boiled eggs and soft drinks.
A lone circle of light where men congregated, discussing
football. It is the darkness I remember the best, nights were
long and few streetlights about. Shops had little to sell
(there had been a war on) and were frugal with the lights.
But the kiosk’s light pulled me, it gave an air of grown up
adventures and possibilities, in my mind this was the height
of city living… for the men too, it was the first time in five war
years they could be out after dark. I often pestered mother
for loose change so I could go there buy a couple of hotdogs
to take home and mingle with the sophisticated, absorb their
manner and air of assurance. When I came home mother had
to reheat the hotdogs.
