Moments of intense emotion are what make up romances. The next five pages are dedicated to those moments. Enjoy

Chapter I

She tells him "There isn't much time"

"I know, I know...", he whispers hoarsely into her yearning ear.

"I can't stay here any longer unless--"

"Shhh", he cuts her off, "this is all we have, right now". His voice is urgent, almost harsh from aching. She shifts a little--leans her head into his left shoulder. He buries his face in her soft tight black curls and tightens his embrace. She smells like roses and fried plantain. He breathes her in.

Outside blows are exchanged between the deaf kids who live next door. Their unintelligible grunts punctuate the air. Somewhere far, a fire truck wails. He holds her tighter. The noises outside remind him that he can only protect her so much. This frightens him but he doesn't want her to know. It would be too much to add. Isn't the pain of separation enough?

He blinks; once, twice. The tears don't fall but the lump in his throat gets bigger. He thinks back on their last few days together. She comes over every night to visit him. She says it helps her forget her troubles. He likes that. It reminds him of his worth.

She says softly, "I wish I could stay". There is a pause as he holds his breath. Suddenly she lifts her face to his. His eyes are sad. His cheek twitches, sure sign he's keeping the tears from falling. She kisses him gently--on the forehead on the cheeks on the chin on the nose. Then--on the lips.

Afterwards she pulls away. Standing up she smiles--trying to be brave for both of them. In this place she can see only his face. Moonlight gleams through his eyes. A beam caresses his strong jaw. His dimples don't show. He's blinking again--she knows he's trying to hold back the tears. On impulse she pulls him up and kisses him again--violently, hard. Then turns. Grabs her purse and keys.

Like that she leaves. Without the requisite dramatic pause at the door, hand on the knob followed by the turning of her head and the throwing of a glance. No, she can't do that. That's too clich�. And she is anything but.