Introduction to Statistics

Suppose we surprised him coming off the pathinto the patch of pines and saw palmettos,two girls with our child-sized bikes. Supposehe had a reason to chase us back to the path,his pale face flushed with—what? Desire? Wrath?He shouted, “Come back,” but we fled. Who knowswhat he was doing there in the woods. Imposean innocent narrative and still the mathwill come out wrong. There was a flash of skin,a man in yellow shorts with dark brown curls,a shout. And in the dream that I’m still inhe stumbles out, a living question mark,and we are halfway gone. We’re only girlsplaying in the woods. It’s hours before dark.