One Night with Lalo Salamanca

One Night in Germany

The wood of the bar is cool beneath you as you rest your head on your hand, flipping idly through the women's magazine you brought with you to pass the time. It's a quiet Wednesday night and although you know you have work in the morning, you're loath to venture out into the cold German night you know is waiting just outside the doors. Like most evenings now, you feel the need to be out and among others, even if you keep to yourself. The idea of staying home alone with just your thoughts puts a pit in your stomach. The last 2 years have been hard since your father's passing; the two of you were thick as thieves and the idea of him disappearing just like that is too much for you to dwell on.

"A martini please."

A man's voice to your right pulls you out of your deep thoughts and you find yourself focusing on the room around you.

"I guess you can spot us a mile away."

This time you glance in the direction of the voice, the older man with a shock of white hair surrounded by thick black waves catches your attention. His casual but professional attire suggests he's stopped at the bar after the workday, but he seems far too relaxed for that to be the case. Your attention is drawn to his hands as he taps the bar, long bronzed fingers, and no rings. Not that you were looking for one.

"No, New Mexico. Another state, it's like California. But less traffic."

At the mention of New Mexico, you feel your vision start to narrow and sorrow begins to bubble up inside of you. The last place your father walked this earth, the faraway place where he died without any opportunity to say goodbye. You blink away the tear starting to form and instead choose to concentrate on the American instead.

"New Mexico, I've heard it's beautiful. So many stars in the night sky" you tell the man.

"Yes, beautiful indeed. Have you been?"

Now his full attention was on you, and that pit in your stomach turned to butterflies. From the side profile you could see that he was a good looking man, but now you saw he was much more than that. Warm toned olive skin slightly wrinkled with age, dark sparkling eyes, and a full mouth crowned by a dark mustache. He was definitely a man that wore his years well, and held himself as such, with great confidence.

"I almost visited, but it didn't work out. Maybe another time."

He offered a wide smile and closed the distance between you, it was clear you now had his full attention and he looked to be enjoying the superficial exchange.

"I'm Ben, and you are?" he asked?

"Allison, it's nice to meet you Ben." you replied, catching his gaze. His eyes held yours for a moment and the butterflies returned a bit stronger than before. You quietly closed your magazine and motioned to a table by the window, "would you care to join me?"

"Happily" he replied, his smile growing wider and you couldn't help but wonder if his mustache was as soft as the hair on his head appeared. You quickly shook off that thought, telling yourself not to be a silly girl.

He led the way and as you walked behind him you couldn't help but notice how gracefully he walked, not at all like most men you know that just stomp around to assert their dominance. Ben carried himself with such confidence it made you want to know him more.

Taking the seat across from him you asked, "What brings you to Germany?"

"Business" was his reply. A man of few words perhaps? "But I'd like to know more about you" he says, making eye contact again in a way that was thrilling, but a bit frightening as well.

"What is there to know? I've traveled a bit around Europe but not to America. I visit my mother every weekend. Since my father passed two years ago we try not to go too long without seeing each other. I work in finance, and have a weak spot for gin martinis. I'm afraid I'm a bit of an open book."