She left to hike solo, as she often did. On this autumn day, he could visualize ice rosettes forming, twirling, joining one another on the river, along the walking trail.
Why was she delayed? Their grownup children across town also knew not why.
A bulletin was issued: ‘Woman, early 70’s, last seen talking to a driver on her walk’.
Time ticked anxious minutes into months.
The man continued waiting, wondering if his cancer was the reason for her disappearance.