Fall

Another short story:

The gleaming headlights flashed in my eyes through the windshield. The night was dark, few cars left traipsing on the highway. I settled for a turn on sixth street, not really knowing where I am heading. I kept driving without a destination in mind until I reached seaside. Winds were blowing in all directions, swaying the leafless trees in the fall. I parked beside a flickering lamp post and left my '96 Corolla unlocked. It was bitterly cold, temperature playing around 50s. I doubled up my long-sleeved top with a thick fleece coat and walked barefoot on the beach. My feet shuddered as it touched the cold. As I kept walking, I found a decent spot near the rushing waves of the sea. I sat there a bit trembling and sucked the breezy air of the evening through my nose.

Just as I was about to leave, after a few minutes of respite, I felt some warm hands cover my eyes. In an instant, I knew it was his, those long rough fingers and soft palms.

 

"James?"

"I hate you," and he gave me a kiss on the cheek which always comes as a surprise.

"How'd you know I was here?"

"I just knew when you didn't return both my calls,"

He slid onto my side, holding me on a tight embrace. We sat there looking into the sea's horizon, not saying anything. We just knew from the moments of our silence that it was enough, words deemed unnecessary. The only sounds were the seagulls' scream, the splashes of the waves on the shore and our quiet breathing. I turned to him, brushed my lips on his and put my head on his chest. For another night, I am grateful. I could only hope tomorrow won't be any different.