You Came to Me

21. Iapetus

Published: August 14th, 2021.

Word Count: 5,290

Madrid. November, 1975.

Amelias coffee was almost empty as we sat next to each other in the back table of El Asturiano. Her half eaten croquette sat on the same plate as the crusts from my toast. Amelia was engrossed in trying to explain the idea of her performance to me, but it went in one ear and out the other.

- "..so the little hat will be silver and have a feather on top. The dance will be in the middle of the stage, but I was thinking that instead of doing a normal white spotlight we could try another color, can the Kings do that?"

My head rested in my hands that were held up by my elbows and I was barely listening to Amelia. Not on purpose, of course, but I couldn't concentrate on her words because I was simply too busy admiring her beauty.

I watched her as if she was a specimen in a scientific lab. I stared into her brown eyes that had faded mascara rubbed into her eyelashes from the night before. I examined how her dress fit perfectly on her body and how much it complimented her face. I devoted time to watching how she ate her food and I made a mental note to remember her order for the future.

- "Luisita? Are you listening?" She asked as she waved her hand in front of my eyes, catching my attention.

- "Sorry, yes. I think the silver hat would look great on you." I quickly replied as I was pulled out of my admiration.

- "Mhm, I think I lost you. I asked if the Kings is able to change the color of their lights."

- "Oh, right. Um, yes, we can. Maria has some lighting gels that we can use."

- "Okay, great! I'm thinking maybe a pink or red would be good."

- "I'm sure any color would look beautiful on you." I said as I took a sip of my coffee.

She gently blushed and drank the remainder of her coffee to cover her smile.

- "For the opening this evening, are you going to be working or..?"

- "Not really, I told Maria that I'd help her before to finish the last touches so I'd be able to be with you during the party."

- "Okay, I just wasn't sure. I was a little nervous about it. You know I don't know many people so I didn't know what I was going to do if I were to be alone." She explained as she wiped the red lipstick mark off the white mug.

- "I thought you'd feel like that so I made arrangements with Maria so I could be able to stay with you."

- "Really?" She asked, looking up to my eyes.

- "Well, I know I keep taking you to these places were you don't know anyone and I wouldn't like it if I was alone while surrounded by people I don't know. Plus, I want to spend the night with you. "

Amelia stared at me as I began to chip the paint off my nails. I was startled when I felt her delicately bring her hand across mine to interlock our fingers. She caressed the slide of my hand with her thumb. I sat frozen as I watched her caresses my hand. Resultantly, I pulled our hands underneath the table and onto my lab.

- "So no one can see." I whispered into her ear to explain the sudden change.

She gave me half a smile and a hesitant nod in agreement and continued holding my hand. I tightened the grip around her hand to clarify to her that I still wanted her affection.

- "So, anyways, how long do you think we'll be at the Kings tonight?" Amelia asked as if to escape the tense air that my gesture had created between us.