Scene :: Mar Vista, Stroke Victim

In Mar Vista:

He combs his thin grey hair from left to right, its lower ranks left unruly. When he stands at the corner, his upper body lists forward a little -- not a lot, but enough to throw off that sharp line of youth. Walking, he drags his right leg behind the left, that plant and shuffle of a stroke. He walks alone, following the same track through the quiet neighborhood. This morning, the air is sharp after an unexpected rain, the gardens full of glee, and his walk before these quiet houses like stitches along smooth skin.