Say hello to him but move on

I stood there on the threshold as the world outside shifted again. I wasn’t in the mood for this, not right now anyway. The night turned once more to day with nothing more than a whim of mine to drive it.

“Hello, Bill. Nice to see you.”

His leather chair creaked as he leaned over the armrest. He tilted his head just enough to catch me in his peripheral vision.

“Hello, Michael.”

“Just popping in for a moment but I can’t stay to chat. I have other things to attend to.”

“Perhaps I’ll see you around later, then. Enjoy your visit.” He returned to his sedate posture and took another slow drink.

I turned on my heel and headed back the way I had come.