In a vase beside me the last rose of
summer dips its head slightly as I sit in near darkness of my flat.
Earlier, I showered and made myself ready to meet a lady at my door
and then we would proceed to swankier parts of town for our first
date. We were introduced at a dinner party a week earlier, using up
most of the evening in each other's company, finally making a date
for this evening.
It is almost time for her arrival and I
have been sitting here for more than an hour. Darkness has real
presence and it is beginning to weigh on my shoulders but I cannot
make my body rise out of the chair and turn the lamp on, light will
be more oppressive than any heaviness dark can muster. Instead I sit
with the only illumination coming between the closed door and
threshold.
When the clock chimes and she hasn't
arrived, I think maybe she won't come at all; I feel a sense of
relief. As the seventh and final note fades, I hear the door opening
at the end of the hall; I know it is her and my heart sinks. The
click-click of her footsteps come nearer and finally I hear
what I dread most; puk-puk, puk-puk as her knuckles rap
against the wooden door. Puk-puk, puk-puk once more but I
cannot move; I am emotionally frozen in time. After a minute, one
more puk-puk and her shadow moves from the threshold,
footsteps echo back down the hallway and the door to the outside
opens and quickly closes.
I sit afraid and I have no idea of what
or who I fear; I sit still for more than hour as my muscles stiffen
and ache. I sit. Beside me, the last faded petal of the summer rose
loosens its grip and quickly falls to the floor. I close my eyes from
the remaining light and I am alone.
I am alone.
Saturday!
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