The sun had come out to dry the wet streets and make people regret bringing a coat.

On my walk across town I stopped briefly at a café and paid the barkeeper to fill up my flask with rum, then stepped back onto the streets.

People were starting to escape from school and work, and the roads were slowly filling up. Boys played football on the sidewalk, girls jumped rope, men stood around in suits and hats smoking and discussing the weather. I walked through all this by myself, as I have always done.

I didn’t feel sad. Dogs walked past me with their tongues lolling out, their owners in straw hats with snooty expressions. Couples walked with hands held. Businesswomen held their heads straight to deflect the gapes of men. Every few minutes I passed another lonesome walker, and slowly...

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