Meeting someone after decades

When I look at him

I also see behind his face the face that was his

His present image shimmering into past and back

His laboured attempts at smile merging into careless laughter of his youth

As if playing hide and seek through time

His mother appears in the memory with tea and snacks

You are his friend. Tell him to study. He does everything but study

She warmly ruffles his hair

He turns as if aware of the apparition

A faint rustle of curtains in the breeze

It was nice to meet you after such a long time

He gets up, stumbles as if to hug someone, steadies and walks away.