On our way back we would pass

two water fountains

we needed stools to reach

four closed classroom doors

with barking teachers on the other side

sometimes

one bad child who was sent

to take a break for talking too much

Sarah’s open hand

would become hers and mine

two moist bunches

of stubby fingers

holding each other

briefly

her cheeks flush

of blotchy maroon and smile

mine of damp brown and giggle

all of this disappeared

when time

delivered us back

to class