He is twice her size. She straddles the park bench, her back to his chest, face towards the sun. Encircled by his arms. His winter-pale legs—golden hair shimmering—encase hers. His warm lips graze the back of her neck. She peers over her shoulder as a woman walks by, one of many on this sunny spring…
Tag Archives: Dating
That simple answer has the effect of making her laugh and cry at the same time until she’s breathless. “Are you hungry?” he smiles. “I’m starving,” Gemma admits. Jim gets up and holds out his hand. “Well I know this place, not too far from here, with really good food.” Gemma smiles and takes his…
“What?” Jim says. When she doesn’t respond, he continues. “Well, I don’t blame you. You didn’t hand him the keys and say, ‘Go Glenn, go ride your motorcycle in the dark without any protection, while you’re full of adrenalin, and not pay attention to the cars in front of you.’ Gemma, not to make light…
Gemma’s eyes are wide and tear-filled as she speaks, her voice still flat. “We didn’t even really finish that stupid blindfold exercise,” she says. “It was my fault. I couldn’t relax. I hated him putting his arm around me like he was my buddy or something. He accused me of sabotaging the exercise to make…
Gemma stops. They’ve come to a viewpoint as the sun sinks over the Olympic Mountains—a blaze of rose and orange and purple. “He was killed,” Gemma says, her voice flat as she stares out to the horizon. Jim takes her hand, and guides her to one of the benches overlooking the view. A full minute…
Jim doesn’t try to make small talk, which Gemma appreciates. The further they go—heading west towards a view of the sunset over the Puget Sound—the more she finds herself wanting to talk. “I was on the debate team in high school,” she begins. “And there was this guy, Glenn. We were kind of rivals. Sort…
Jim insists on making sure she gets home all right. She won’t let him in the car. She won’t get inside his. “Let me call Molly to come and get you,” he suggests. “All right,” Gemma snuffles. “Only, really, I’m fine.” “You’re not fine,” Jim says, looking for the number he needs in his cell…
Instead of looking scared or repelled, Jim’s face shows concern. His brow crinkled, mouth frowning, eyes searching for understanding. That, more than anything brings on the tears. “Oh, crap,” she whispers, wiping her cheeks. The waitress appears as Jim hands Gemma his napkin. “Oh nuts,” she says, putting down their plates noticing Gemma’s state. “Are…
Gemma stares, blinking away the memory. “Welcome back.” He smiles. “You looked like you were about a galaxy away.” “Sorry.” Gemma shakes her head, willing herself back to the here and now. Her throat is dry again. She downs the rest of her water, sets the glass down and clasps her hands together. “Are you…
“The first few steps are the hardest,” Glenn said. “Until you get how to walk without using sight.” “Please stop talking,” Gemma said. She was having a hard time concentrating. She didn’t like not seeing. All the sounds and smells that would have been familiar to her with her vision intact were distorted—too loud, too…
wordVignette 