Not a a piece of work i'd usually create, but was part of my school coursework, going towards my final grade. However since it didn't stick to th original themes I was assigned to, I've had to write another one, with a immediate deadline. I'm stressed enough since part of my exams are coming up in the next few weeks. Anyway, enough with my concerns. It's a short story, and I was restricred to 1,000 - 1,500 words, based on a poem called the Flea by John Donne. Here it is. -------------------------------------------------------------- Spoiler It was an autumn evening in the Old Town, a light and cold breeze whispered through the street. I was sitting on an old metal chair, outside of Café Dante, aromas of chocolate and coffee beans escaped from shop. It was the busiest time of day and all the seats indoors were taken, so both, Greg and I had no other choice but to sit in these cold metallic tables… with armrests. “What a drag of a day! The ditzy blonde intern didn’t know the difference between her mouse or monitor! And as per usual in my life, Jeff assigned me to help her.†“Sounds like a fun day.†He said with a warm grin. “If only. Apart from helping the newbie my day consisted of filing, printing, doing invoices, and then printing and filling those same invoices.†“You need to find a girlfriend, man.†Greg uttered in urgency. A chuckle escaped my mouth, “Yeah, that’ll help my life†He put down his hot coffee on the table, and stared defiantly into my eyes. “Come on now, John, I’m serious when I say this.†I looked away for a moment. “I don’t know… it seems too soon…†“Ugh, hello, that was nine months ago now, and she left you for some job over in Leeds. Didn’t that tell you she wasn’t worth time?†I continued to look away, taking some sips from the tea to warm me up. It at least helped me avoid the conversation. Greg sighed in defeat, until his eyes spotted something. “See that woman in the café†he pointed, “The one looking the other way, with the green jacket on?†“Yeah…and?†“Introduce yourself†“Don’t be stupid!†“Fine, I’ll do it for you.†And off Greg went into Dante’s. He walked so casually and approached her with no hesitations. Wonder what line he’ll use? He’s new in town? He’s an agent looking to make some beauty famous? Greg was a decade younger to me, a well-built man in his early 30s, blessed with charisma, without any care in the world. I envied him. But I knew my time of romance was over, even if he didn’t believe it so. I was just turning into an old spinster, with nothing to look forward too. “…couldn’t help myself, I’m sure I’ve seen you before. John, do you know?†“You’re John? John Doe? I stood up abruptly, losing my chain of thought. I looked up to see the woman standing before me. “Al…Alison?!†How the hell – It was Allison Granger! Allison Granger was standing right in front of me, and she looked the same as I remember, curly blonde hair, aqua eyes, crimson cheeks. All of it, right in front of me! Greg was completely clueless, “So you two know each other?†Time passed so differently - so quickly, when I was with her again. My heart raced, in nervousness… and anticipation. We met again… by accident, in the bookstore, R&J was in her hand… it kept me…hopeful. A day later, once again, our eyes met at the supermarket. I took it as a sign, and I asked her to go to ‘Lorenzo’s’ tonight. I don’t know why she was back in town… after so long, I thought that...well it didn’t matter what I thought now. I wanted her more and more. The meal had finished in delight; both I and Allison were slightly tipsy from the superb wine. I hadn’t held alcohol down in a good number of years. Still, Allison was a trooper, basking in the tangy taste and texture as the wine met her tongue. “It was so nice meeting Lorenzo again†proclaimed Allison “He hasn’t changed much in 11 years.†“It’s been 12, actually…†I said, holding my hands in the trouser pockets. “Really?†she said in surprise. “Wow… I never thought it’d been that long…†An uncomfortable silence began. Our heads hung low, memories of the past couldn’t be erased, not by me or by Alison. Her white silk-lined top expressed her dark skin beautifully, the moonlight added a glisten to her skin, and the click of her heeled shoes on the floor echoed in the darkness of the park. “Alison… The last time we saw each other… I wish - I need to move on.†She looked up at me; the vast seas of her eyes expressed her sadness. Teardrops fell, as did she, into the bench close by. “I know John; it’s always on my mind. Not a day goes past that I can’t forget about it.†Clasping her hands together, she brought them to her face. “I shouldn’t be back here…I promised - I never wanted to hurt you…†Alison had become incoherent past her sorrow, and muttered to herself. I sat down beside her and held her to me. “It was your choice… you shouldn’t regret the choices you’ve ever made… I never would have met you if you hadn’t!†I squeezed her tighter, “I never would’ve been so happy…†She sobbed even harder, “But I – I just couldn’t – I’m the one who left you! I left you all alone… I’m so sorry…†I could just stroke her hair in comfort, and then I seemed to have stopped breathing. The time we’d spent together in just these few days of her being back, it reminded me of everything good I had left in life. I didn’t care about my run down job any more, how people would treat me, look at me, pity me. I knew only one thing now; Alison was back in my life. I hope and pray to God she stays, I’d hate to lose her once again. But if she leaves, I won’t stop her…not anymore, she has a life too and I won’t bring her down just because I’m selfish. “John…Don’t fall asleep on me now!†I snapped out of my thoughts, why’d it always happen when something important happen? “Your leaving me pretty vulnerable here, I’m defenceless if you started to kiss me.†He face was right next to mine, her eyes were glazed. The alcohol had finally taken effect. I didn’t want it to be like this, but I kissed her. “You’re drunk – you know that right?†“Yeah… but it wouldn’t be as fun if I was sober.†Alison smiled, weakly. She rubbed my chest slowly, but I pulled her hand away. “What’s wrong?†She asked. “Don’t you know where we are?†I said looking at the view in front of me. The town was dotted in beautiful lights, of all shades of the rainbow. The red tower lights being the most powerful of all. “We’re… back at the spot?†she said almost dumbfounded. Her face turned away. I could even have told you the thoughts that flowed within her head. “This… this is where I lost the baby…†she muttered to herself. “This is where I was, when I had the miscarriage…†I thought she’d be crying again by now, I know I wanted too. Instead she looked into the distance, at the Old Town. “I feel so alone and empty without him.†“Don’t be.†I replied. “It never occurred to me how much I wanted a child until I lost him. And I still want to.†Alison’s head turned to me. “I’ve stiler met any woman, who I wanted to be with, grow old with…or grow older, even…†I smirked at the thought. And she replied in kind. “I always thought of you, John.†“So did I†“Can…I grow older with you?†I smiled, and held her tight. “Only if I can, too.†I’m not sure what the time was when we got there, when we left, when we laughed and also cried. But with Alison back, I know I’m not going to be alone. Like blood, we’ll mingle together and move together. I’ve got no real plan, but I feel like ‘staying in the moment’ as the I always say. Because tomorrow’s another day.
