She couldn’t stop thinking about him, so there was only one thing to do: go out with someone new, of course. | ||
They agreed to meet at 7pm. She knew even before she met him that she wouldn’t like him. It wouldn’t matter how smart or charming or how handsome he was, she just knew. Simply because he wasn’t him. | ||
She didn’t want to seem as though she was trying too hard, when in fact she didn’t care at all.
The problem with first dates is that every word you say, what drink you order (Scotch or a martini?), the buttons left unbuttoned on your blouse, even the way you look at him- every single thing takes on a particular, subliminal meaning. But she was the type of girl who wore perfume and her favorite heels to run out for milk. It didn’t matter where she was going. That’s just who she was. So if she just happened to look a certain way, it had absolutely nothing to do with him. |
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She arrived at 6:48 and ordered a glass of Bordeaux. At 7:02 he walked in. She looked up from her phone. He was taller than she’d expected. He was wearing a suit jacket, a crisp white shirt and dark jeans.
He smiled as he walked toward her. |
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“Wow. You’re even prettier in person,” he said. | ||
She got up from her chair to greet him. “Thank you.” | ||
They discussed their children and her recent trip to San Antonio (one of her favorite cities) and his job on Capitol Hill. The conversation and wine flowed easily. He was witty and charming.
He even made her laugh. She found herself smiling. And even though he wasn’t him, the thought occurred to her that maybe, just maybe, she could enjoy spending time with someone else. She had warned him she needed to leave early, but somehow 8:37pm turned into 10:49. She needed to be up early the next day. “I really should go,” she said. “But you haven’t even finished your drink.” He smiled at her. His eyes were the perfect shade of blue. She smiled back.
Finally he walked her to her car. The moon was full. “I’d really like to see you again,” he said. “I’ll text you,” she said. |
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As she drove home, she received a message. She looked down at her phone. “I’d like to see you again. Any chance you’re free Friday night?” | ||
Suddenly she felt guilty. She hadn’t expected to be interested in anyone else. This wasn’t supposed to happen.
This was only meant to be a distraction from another night spent sitting home alone, thinking about him, with an empty ache in her chest, waiting for him to finally make up his mind.
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As she lay in bed that night, the rain poured down outside her window.
The next morning she checked her phone again. No missed calls.
Just then she received a text: “Looking forward to seeing you.” It had finally stopped raining. She needed to get dressed. She didn’t want to be late for work. She looked out her window. The sky was slate blue. And she was indecisive. |
Tag Archives: Rain
Look Closer
Part I
Chaos swirls
Of crowds and strangers and vacant stares
They look right through you.
Nothing and everything
Meaningless and empty.
Then
You catch a glimpse
Her face catching the light
She is a beacon
Calm.
You look closer.
Her eyes draw you in.
And she is drawn to yours.
Her voice is soft and comforting.
Lilting
Like the moan of the wind
And all you want
Is to drown inside her mind.
Part II
Rain rolls down the window
Concealing your view
Still, you see it
The light.
You recognize the beauty through the haze.
And maybe that is what makes it so appealing
Veiled
Mysterious
Unknown.
An enigma.
Your soul aches for more.
Part III
You reach closer
She draws back
Hiding.
Covering her face
She runs away
Fearful
Distrusting
Guarding her heart
She slams it closed
Locking it shut
And throws the key into the river.
Gone.
Never allowing anyone to get past the gate.
–
I am open, but extremely private. If you can earn my trust, I will do anything for you. I will hand you the world, wrapped inside my heart.