A Kiss

Charming kiss

It was cold, and chilly. Walking down a New York street surrounded by a few passing couples, single stragglers like myself, and families now and again, and all walking a bit faster than herself. Anna was just walking heading back home a few blocks left to go. She often walked to clear her head, and tonight was calling her out like many other nights. It was a bit chilly but not as cold as it will be in the weeks to come. Cupping her hands together in hopes to warm her hands. She stopped and waited with the already formed crowd, a few whom she had recognized had passed her up, and now they all were waiting for the okay to cross the semi busy street. It wasn't too late, but dark as the sun finally set and was no longer in view. Street lights and store signs coming on, not too far beside her two families were gathered in a ball to stay warm. Across the street there were two couples holding hands, and a group of high school kids, and one man tall dark hair. She just got stuck starring, and until he felt her staring. She quickly looking away and stepped closer behind 2 combined families hoping he hadn’t noticed she was just starting at him. Shortly after, the family began to walk, and Anna started to walk behind them, gladly taking him off her mind. She zoned her attention to the pole on the other side, and steadily heading its direction.

                As she was walking, she could not help but to remember a former friend she had, as she was walking. Memories flooded her head, times of traveling in his old school mustang together.  

The time Anna first saw him at an electronic store. She had been by to drop by to bring her best friend at that time some lunch. Shortly after Anna told Lez, or Lesley, that he seemed to attractive, Lez, was into him as well. In the months to come she came to hanging out with him outside of work and late night encounters. Because of that, Anna never felt the pressure expect anything more, or even worry about sexual encounters, but they did meet up once in a while when everyone was normally asleep. They’d found a peace with each other, and during those few hours a couple times a month it was just a different high. No one else existed in the world.

They'd always meet up in random places, early in the mornings, parks after they were closed, and they’d walk for hours just talking. Sometimes he would be there in moments of desperation, pick her up when her car was broken down, but only when she was in need of it the most he’d always be her last call, but the one that would always answer. Their drives listening to music they’d find a deserted place and sit on top of the car and just stare at the stars. His name was Crater to mostly everyone, but Anna called him Charm. He didn’t hate it enough to have her stop, but honestly no one else knew she had called him that, and as she told him, he’d earned it because of how easily he’d charm himself out of trouble, which was typically true. Deep down she had a different reason, one she’d never tell.

She was shocked she’d only made it half of the way, the couples she spotted earlier were passing her now, and she saw the high school group right behind them as well, but the family now not so combined families already approached the end of the side walk.

A chill made her walk a bit faster. She took her eyes off of the pole, and that's when Anna realized the Charm look alike was standing at the window in front of the toy store. Right where she was headed. It was too late to turn back, she had already made it 3/4 of the way, and how awkward would that make her feel. She felt a bit dizzy, and her breathing started getting heavy. As she approached the sidewalk she and held her hand out on the trash can, to get her much needed balance. Breathing a few times.

She looked up, and in the window of the toy store was a memorizing solar system. The plants were so vibrant in color, all rotating around a sun. The stars looked almost life like. She walked a bit closer to get a better view of it. She walked until she was aimlessly staring into it. 

Forgetting he was even there, until she felt a hand on her shoulder, and as she slowly turned taking her eyes off of the solar system, her fear confirmed it was the Charm look alike. She realized she just noticed he hadn't walked across when she started to have a panic attack. It must have been years since she last had one, and remember him not walking by like the other couples she’d saw.

“It’s beautiful, like you are” he said.

Anna too stunned to say anything, but slowly turned around to look at him, as his voice gave her an odd calm comfort. He was looking at her by the time she met his.

Standing completely in front of him, his hand went from her shoulder to her cheek, and she enjoyed the tingling sensation it sent, how warm it felt.  He then leaned closer, and she gradually fell into sync with him. Lips touching, so soft and smooth. He moved his hand to the back of her head, and she closed her eyes, and took in his lips, a taste she felt like she’d longed for. She moved her hands on the back of his neck and let their tongues meet.

******BEEEEEEEEPPPPP*******

A car had honked their horn at another car.

She was right where she was before this kiss, and still holding onto the trash can for balance. She looked around, the Charm look alike was nowhere to be seen, but the two couples and group of high school kids were going in different directions were still visible. 

She turned to started walking back to home. So confused by what happened. The toy store she noticed was closed and for sale. Nothing inside, but shelves with nothing on them. Window had nothing in it beside the for sale sign.