she walked around the empty house until she came to her room. She began to undress, preparing for bed. She didn't intend on sleeping yet, for it was still early; she only wanted to change to be more comfortable. Suddenly, she stopped. Was she going crazy? She could smell him. His cologne. In her room. She exhaled, and then breathed in deeply, concentrating this time. Yes. It was definately his cologne.
She looked over her shoulder - no one there. She was perfectly alone, as she had been for days, with the exception of visiters. But how could this be?
Ignoring her thoughts, she went about her business. Time for a midnight snack. She walked into the kitchen... no luck. She walked into the den. Maybe some late night tv. Her bare feet pitter-pattered against the warm, smooth wooden floor. And there it was again! She stood in the middle of the room, her head tilted slightly towards the ceiling. It was unmistakable! The scent was everywhere! Yet there was no explaination for the presence of his scent, he passed away years ago.
She couldn't help but attempt to justify what was happening. This had to be some phenomena. She did not see or hear him but she sensed that he was there. She closed her eyes for a better feeling. It was like his spirit was watching her, circling her body.
This was not the first time.
"Well, hello you," she whipered into the night air. "It's been a while."
And with a half-smile, she turned towards the window and watched the moon.
------------------------------
here i am - all alone
in the dark, by the phone
sobbing, tears running down
why am i such a clown?
wish i was someone cool
'stead of me (social fool).
all my friends go away
cheaper schools = better pay.
but i still try my best
want ONE friend - then i'll rest.
but i fail, once again
hide my hurt, force a grin.
want to be like this girl;
knowledg'ble 'bout the world
everyone stops and hears
what SHE thinks, says and fears.
try to be witty, too...
don't know quite what to do.
talked about Burning Man
no one here gave a damn.
awkwardness and blank stares
from the people in chairs
way to go, stupid me!
rest my head on my knee.
damnit, i need a break
from my stupid mistake.
just pretend to have fun
soon tonight will be done.
in the end, will i win?
ever find me a friend?
down on luck this past year
and although it's not clear
i've devised a strong haunch
that it won't be a bunch
'cause i'm here - all alone
in the dark, by the phone.
that he realized the fatality of his mistake - sacrificing his dignity to feel something, anything. His gaze fell upon her face, now bathed in hues of aqua and gold as she sat on the opposite end of the sofa. She had been looking away, thinking about something. She sat there with her soft curls falling lightly over her shoulders. She took another drag from her cigarette and slowly blew the smoke from her lips. She lazily rolled her head in his direction, giving him the warmest smile he had seen in years.
"You know what I'm going to miss about this place?" she asked.
He shook his head. "Nights like these. Lying here alone with you in the dark."
He swallowed had and quickly drew in a breath of air. It felt impossible. He thought of all the things he had told her. She was unshaken, untouchable; a girl of immaculate inner strenth and wisdom who possessed the power to calm the darkest of storms. This only made him care for her more.
"I'm glad. I'm glad that you've spent so much time with me," he stammered. Thoughts raced in his mind - fears, desires, nightmares, reality. She was intertwined in them all, like a delicate lace.
She closed her eyes, taking in the sounds of traffic and his music. She had thoughts to tell him but she knew he already understood. Sitting like this was strangely just as awkward as it was comforting. But if time had to stop, she would want it to be like this: peaceful, warm, and without words. This was a kind of love between friends that neither had experienced before. It was both the beginning and the end of their world as they knew it and less was more, as it is now.
