An Old Friend 

I turned right at the end of the street, 

 And briskly moved past the sheriff's office 

Curt Wise sat stretched out 

 Eyeing and listening to the gossip 

of the passengers disembarking 

From the noon coach.

I avoided his eye 

Mixing in the crowd 

Another right turn and down the lane 

Leaving behind the noise 

I stopped in front of the building 

With the sign "Gus, Gabe, and Sons."

The last client of the morning left 

I was lead in as an emergency case 

The room was the same 

 But seated was a different face 

Old man Gus had retired 

His son had taken his place.

"Have a seat ma'am 

How can we help you? 

How can we make your life easy? 

What is it that we can do?" 

He pointed to the seat opposite him 

And gave me his fake smile.

"It's been a good long while 

But I never thought I'd see you here 

Sitting at the desk like Gus 

 Moving papers here and there 

You're a lawyer now ... 

You're all grown up Drover."

"Don't call me that! 

The name is Gabe" 

He blinked a few times 

 "Grace is that you?" he gaped 

Then he gave me a bear hug 

As though he'd found someone he'd lost.