The Foreigner

Chapter 7

-You can sit down. - I point to the living room couch. – Do you want to drink anything?

-Do you have beer? - She sits on the couch.

-Are you old enough to drink?

-Yes. I'm already over 18. If you want I can show you my ID- she puts her hand in the back pocket of her shorts.

-No need. I'll see in the fridge. Just a minute- I bring the two bottles that have been stored there for some time. I hardly drink nowadays, except when I really need to calm down. And I've been calm for the last few days. I think even too much.

-Thanks. – She takes the bottle from my hand – Am I disturbing you?

-No. Not at all- I sit on my armchair next to the couch. And I keep looking at her, waiting for what she has to say.

-Your decoration is beautiful. - She takes a sip.

-Thank you.

-And you live here alone...

-Yes. I do. I came here for inspiration away from the hustle and bustle of Chicago.

-Did you attain it?

-Not yet.

-Even watching other people's lives?

-What did you say? - I clear my throat

-Are you a voyeur, Mr. Whitman?

-Huh?! - The sudden questions make me confounded.

-Did you like to peek at me? - She leans toward me with those blue eyes setting me against the wall.

-I ... didn't ...- Before I can digest the situation, the ring of my cell phone saves me. -I think it's my cell phone ringing. Will you excuse me just a minute?

The sound comes from the bedroom and I climb the stairs quickly. There is still time to answer the call.

-Hello?

-Hi daddy! Are you alright?

-Alright daughter...

-I was finally able to talk to you. Your phone always seems to be turned off. I was worried.

-Excuse me. It's just that I leave the phone off while I'm trying to type. But you can already call the landline. It's already installed.

-Can I go there this week?

-This week can't be. It's still a mess here.

-I can help you organize, dad.

-I don't want you to come here to work. When you will come will be just to visit me.

-Then, when can I visit you dad?

-Maybe next week. - I hear knocking on the open bedroom door. Heidi is there, gesturing that she is leaving. I gesture with my left hand for her to wait.

-Okay Dad ...- I can feel the tone of disappointment in my daughter's voice.

I watch as Heidi enters the room. I hope she'll sit in the armchair and wait for me to finish the call. But she walks to the window, picks up my binoculars from the bedside table, puts them in her eyes, and looks at her house.

I am puzzled.

-Hello dad! Are you still there? - My daughter stuns my silence on the phone.

-Ah ... Daughter, sorry, I need to hang up now. Take care. -My eyes are fixed on Heidi, who has his back to me, letting the tattoo of phoenix clearly visible.

-OK dad, you too.

-So this is where you spy on me? -Heidi continues to scan her own house with binoculars.

-Not! I use the binoculars to observe birds.

She turns to me. Put the binoculars back where it was.

-And do I look like a bird? -She comes toward me imposingly looking straight into my eyes.

-No! You...

In one quick move, she surprises me by wrapping her arms around my neck and kissing me on the mouth. For seconds I get no reaction. Feeling her soft lips touching mine feels great and the closeness of her body to mine awakes my somewhat dormant male instincts. I didn't remember what it felt like.