Group J, the Afternoon

Prior Arrangement

A Barred Plymouth Rock rooster with black-and-white barred plumage in a cream linen camp-collar shirt, seated at a small round marble-topped cafe table on a sidewalk terrace, an espresso cup and folded newspaper on the table, a football match playing on a wall-mounted television visible through the cafe window behind, wrought-iron chair, terracotta planter with red geraniums, warm afternoon light

The fixture had been decided eight months ago in a room full of strangers, which is how most of the best arrangements begin. He arrived early, not because he cared who won, but because caring who won requires the right table.

22 June 2026

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