Toronto, after the rush

A date without a drinks menu, an afternoon on your own, and a different way to spend an hour in the city.

Subject: Toronto

23 pieces · Page 2 of 4

Bea looking at a blue garden gate on a familiar Toronto residential street, with an ordinary canvas bag over her shoulder.

Told by Luis · 3 min read

We went out to look at a fence.

Luis and Bea take a familiar walk with no destination to reach. A painted gate, a bakery window and a sensible place to turn back are enough.

Imani finding her dark coat among jackets on a bed during a small apartment party.

Told by Imani · 3 min read

I left while I was still having a good time.

Imani enjoys a friend's party, then discovers that leaving before the last guest does not require an emergency, a lie or a closing speech.

Amir and his sister Yasmin talking at the edge of a Toronto cafe patio, with their coats and bags ready.

Told by Amir · 3 min read

My sister was not ready to go home.

Amir and Yasmin enjoy the same afternoon for different lengths of time. They work out the trip home before either person becomes the reluctant escort.

Priya seated by a cafe window with a bowl of soup and bread, looking up with a small smile.

Told by Priya · 3 min read

The other chair was allowed to stay empty.

Priya has an unexpected hour in the city and takes herself to lunch. The difficult part is allowing it to look exactly like lunch.

Ben laughing across a cafe table with a tiny tea cup in a casually cropped phone photograph.

Told by Imani · 2 min read

We had nothing to hide behind but tiny cups.

A Toronto date with sauna, tea and no drinks menu, told by the woman who almost booked a bar out of habit.

Anika and Leah talking over tea and a broken biscuit after taking different-length breaks.

Told by Anika · 2 min read

We were friends before we owned matching towels.

A shared afternoon gets better when two friends stop trying to finish every part of it together.