The Hours of Twilight

March 3, 2018April 6, 2018 ~ Piece, of the Sky

utena

Alli came home and placed her wet umbrella in the holder. Outside the spring rain was just picking up, flattening blades of grass. She wiped her feet on the welcome mat and hung up her heavy coat.

Ran stood in the kitchen, stirring a large pot of soup. She tasted it occasionally, nibbled the celery, added a little bit more chicken broth. They met in the entryway to the kitchen and embraced in front of the island. “I missed you,” said Ran.

“I came in and I smelled the soup. It really raised my spirits,” Alli said.

“Well you’re safe and warm now,” Ran said, hugging her again.

Alli went to the shower. Steam beaded on the glass door. The massage jet sent a cascade of soothing water pouring down on her sore muscles.

Outside, Ran asked her, “Well, how much did you lift at the gym?”

“I benched 110 once, and 90 several times,” Alli admitted.

“Getting back to the 500-pound club I see,” Ran said. She poured the soup into two bowls.

They sat cooling the meal. Ran had set the table with two candlesticks, even though there wasn’t any special occasion.

Alli broke the bread and gave Ran a piece. “Is it nice to have someone to cook for again?” she asked.

“Yes,” Ran answered, “I was single for almost five years, after a relationship that lasted two years. It took me a while to get over that.”

“But get over it, you did,” Alli smiled. She rested her hand on Ran’s.

the '90s

Two Black Holes Colliding

February 27, 2018April 7, 2018 ~ Piece, of the Sky

i tried

Alli stood under the lamplight, leaning against the bar. The Gem’s neon sign flickered. She peered out from underneath the striped, red and white awning, watching the drizzle mist and settle. The Marlboro in her hand gave off a thin line of smoke.

It wasn’t cold, but Alli sunk into her jean jacket. Parked cars sat on the empty street, their right tires leaning into the curb. The apartment buildings rose up to touch the cloudy sky. Puddles from this evening’s rain reflected the scene. The light turned from green to red.

Through the steam rising from the city gutters and manhole covers, walked Ran, along the twisted chain link fence. She raised her hand in greeting. They leaned against the wall together. Ran pulled a Newport out of a side pocket, on her black leather jacket and said, “May I bum a light off you?”

A gust almost blew the light from the Zippo out, before Alli cupped her hand around the flame and lit Ran’s cigarette.

“It’s very different from SoCal,” Ran remarked.

“There’s nowhere just like New York,” Alli said.

Ran took a deep drag, “And Xen?”

“She’s gone to open a new Katsuya in the Middle East,” Alli said.

“I sold the surf shop,” Ran admitted.

Alli looked at her. A car passed, headlights blinding them for a moment.

She looked away, “It’s good to have you here.”

Ran glanced at her and nodded.

They smoked cigarettes down to the butts and then lit another. A light went out in the apartment across the street. The damp night stood in silence, holding its breath for sunrise.

gengar