The smoothness of the drive led my mind to other places. I considered the gift for myself.
Maybe for Christmas, I thought.
Or tomorrow, I countered instantly.
Every day I walked on Earth was a special day for me. I didn’t need to wait until the calendar told me it was.
Nas pumped through the speakers. Though I didn’t listen to the tracks he laid in solitude, I was no stranger to his words, knowledge, or his voice. He was on rotation quite often in my family’s home.
A dagger went through my chest. I’d been secretly yearning the moments spent around the dinner table with smiles touching my edges as I experienced unfiltered joy just being in the company of those I loved. When we were all living, breathing, and free were the best years of my life.
I turned one corner after the other, making my way back to the main street. Lamaz. Once on the stretch, my feet grew heavier on the gas. We sped down the street in pursuit of our destination. The odds of us being headed to the same place was in my favor. Though I wouldn’t have had trouble getting toTheBalgariaa solution sat in my path at the perfect moment.
The handsome stranger, whose name I didn’t even know, stretched his legs and expanded his arms. He consumed an ungodly amount of space, making the passenger seat look and feel like a toddler seat. A booster chair of some kind.
I pulled the inside of my lip between my teeth as my nostrils flared. My curiosity was alarming. So was my quietness. I’d been known to be one who accepted her fate and the forwardness that caused it. But tonight was different. This moment was different.
I became the avoidant presence I despised. I didn’t want to waste words on a man who was running from something. Hiding from someone. Or the world itself.
Black clothes.
Black shades.
Discomfort.
All the signs aligned with my analysis. He was incognito.
Doesn’t want to be seen.
Doesn’t want to be noticed.
Doesn’t want to be bothered.
Doesn’t want to be outed.
I’d been him before. Hiding in the shadows. Lurking. Hoping my discovery didn’t manifest. Praying my presence was obsolete.
I inhaled deeply, pulling my thoughts from the abyss they were headed down. There was an eventful night ahead of me. I couldn’t bear that load right now. It was too heavy.
I made a left into the well-lit lot. The wheels of the car bounced on the rocky roundabout. The red bricks that paved the space for vehicles were large and beautiful. They were held together by cement, with the names of the hotel investors etched on their surface.
The Balgariasign sat atop the building, shining brightly with the backlighting as its source of energy. Fine bumps lined my skin. It didn’t matter how many times I visited the establishment; it always felt like the first.
“Good evening, ma’am.”
The door swung open. An attendant met me on the driver’s side. Another met the handsome stranger on the passenger side. I lifted my butt from the seat, but electricity stopped me from exiting the car.
“Good evening, mister.”
The wave of shock pulled me back onto the buttery soft leather. I searched for the source. I didn’t have to search very long. A hand rested on my arm.
Hishand rested on my arm.
“Thank you.”
I remained silent, lowering my gaze to his hand. He did the same. I waited for him to release me. The moment didn’t surface.
“Maybe we should keep in touch,” he said, clearing his throat.
