The Spinster's Club

AMY: Nine

Or in Reality: Seb: Nine

He knocked on the door, prepared to make a pest out of himself with endless knocking until she answered and he could cajole or manipulate his way inside. He didn't expect to have the door flung open and a wild eyed Amy grab his arm and pull him inside.

"Thank God you're here," she said and he grinned. Not at all what he expected but more than he hoped for. "Seb, you have to tell me if these sex positions will work."

He stumbled and Amy put her arm around his waist. "Don't worry, it's nothing too weird but I really need you for this."

"Amy, merci. I have hoped that one day and if this is the day..."

"Here, sit." Amy pushed Seb down onto the sofa. It was the first time he'd been in her apartment and he looked around eagerly. He hadn't known what to expect but the burst of color and wild patterns everywhere made perfect sense.

It was a comfortable home, the furniture might clash but it was all plumped cushions, with throws everywhere and extra pillows. The purple checkered couch he was on sunk comfortably under his weight and he wanted to slip his shoes off and lie back.

Although more than his shoes were going to come off, much to his delight.

"Do you need water?" Amy asked setting a glass on the table. "I have coffee and hot chocolate too." The mugs joined the glass. "Something to eat? I don't really have too much, you should have brought doughnuts."

"Let me get you some peanuts."

She was out of his sight instantly and Seb frowned at the empty space. Maybe she was just nervous about having sex. He would relax her and they would enjoy each other for hours. Which would lead to days. And hopefully a lifetime.

"Amy, I do not need anything to eat really," he called. "I just need to see you."

"Well that's sweet." She emerged with her tray and he was stunned to see a box of cereal, a can of cashews and another of peanuts, some goldfish crackers, a few slices of cheese in their cellophane wrappers and a lollipop.

"You might need some strength," Amy said placing the tray on the table.

"That looks like a heart attack, not food."

"Don't get all doctor on me." Amy grimaced. "What am I missing?"

"I am missing you, Amy. Sit please."

"Popcorn?"

"Food is not necessary. Amy, when two people are in love, food isn't what sustains them."

"That's beautiful Seb." Her eyes were lit with emotion. "Mind if I use that?"

"You may use anything I have to offer you Amy. Please sit."

"God, you have no idea how tired I am." She folded herself down on the couch. "But I couldn't stop once it all became clear to me. Love isn't about going back, it's about moving on. True love means taking chances like going to outer space."

"So this is true love?" He felt it flutter in his heart. This was what he had hoped for.

"Sometimes a woman has to lose everything to understand it, don't you think?"

She had lost so much and it had been momentous. And it wasn't just losing her job but also losing her best friend, and apparently losing her ego. She would always have her edge and it was something he loved about her but she was changed and changing.

And she was understanding more about love.

"I hoped." He reached over and took her hand in his. "But Amy, sometimes the heart moving so fast makes a person lose their mind a little."

"I know, right?" She leaned in toward him. "That's what I thought too. I mean, the attraction wasn't there, not at first but the desire was simmering right there on the surface. And it was unavoidable. Two beings brought together by fate and happenstance but meant to discover they were fated."

"Yes." He squeezed her hand. "It is fate that decides. And the attraction, I hoped you felt it too. I've always been so attracted to you but I thought I was alone in these feelings."

She stared at him, her eyes wide and her cheeks stained pink. "Seb, wat are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about us, sweetheart. Wait. Aren't you talking about us also?"

"I was talking about Shmurgh and Cinnomina. Seb, do you like me?"

"What is a Shmurg and Cinnomina?"

"The characters in my book. Well, it was Cece's book and she left me to finish it but I couldn't until the aliens arrived."

"Where?" He looked around as though he were going to suddenly see ET in the corner.

"In the book, Seb. I wrote aliens into the book and then it flew. I felt like I was high on words and ideas. I was hoping you'd read it and tell me if the physical acts are possible."

The embarrassment was a lump in his throat. "You wanted to talk about your writing? This had nothing to do with us?"

If he'd ever questioned her attractiveness it was no longer a question. Her mouth was a perfect O, her eyes were shining, her color was high and she was focused on him intently.

"Sebastien Izambard, you are the most adorable idiot alive."

That wasn't what he expected to hear.

"I'm so tired," she said suddenly. "I want to say so much but my brain is a mess. Can I just show you?"

"Of course." He was confused but there was something different in the air. The shame was dissipating and there was a loose excitement gathering in his belly.

Amy had gone to her desk and retrieved a tablet. "I sent the file to myself so you can read." She handed him the tablet and it was opened on a word file. "The first fifty thousand words are Cece's and if you ask me, they're kind of crap. But who is gonna throw away fifty thousand words, you know? But from chapter twenty seven on it's mine and it's what I want you to read."

"Okay." He took the tablet she offered.

"Would you be okay if I closed my eyes for a moment?"

He reached over and ran his thumb under her eye. "Go ahead. I'll be here reading."

She made a small sound which stirred his groin in an almost shameful way but then she took a fluffy yellow pillow (he wouldn't have chosen a yellow pillow with the purple check pattern) and placed it near his leg and curled kitten like with her head on it and without thought Seb reached down and stroked her hair.

She was asleep within seconds, her lashes dark against her pale skin and it was strange to see her quiet and still. When he thought of her he thought of her energy and chaos, not of this quiet woman.

Keeping his hand soft against her hair he turned his attention to the tablet. And started to read.

He wasn't aware of how much time had passed. Amy snored softly and drooled slightly, his hand cramped at one point but the story of Shmurgh and Cinnomina enthralled him. Shmurgh wasn't just an alien prince with a big, multi headed erection but he was also a healer in his land. He was soft spoken, kind and defended those who were less fortunate.

Cinnomina was an average American girl who thought of herself as too short, too fat, too loud and much too unpleasant. But in love she was fierce and vulnerable, a little afraid but willing to give all.

"You wrote about us," Seb said in a whisper to the sleeping woman. "I'm your alien prince, aren't I Amy?"

"Glub oo eb," Amy murmured in her sleep.

"I love you too darling."