The breeze was blowing through the green umbrella awning causing the edging to flap noisily. Inside the music was playing just above a conversational tone, Dean, Frank, Satchmo and Peggy and others singing the classics.
It was dusk. The sun was settling into a comfortable spot on the horizon. The sky was a kaleidoscope of color. Nature's brush was working in rare form. Purple and gray toned clouds, wisps of white jet trails, all set on a canvas that ranged from blazing scarlet to magenta to azure and midnight blue, with pockets of deep lavender. It was an inspirational sight for what was about to be an inspirational and life altering night.
In some parts of the world young men engage in an age old coming of age tradition by stalking, engaging and killing a lion with only a spear and a knife. When they survive the claw scars attest to their courage, cunning and new found "warrior" status. In the Hebrew tradition the Bar Mitzvah serves the same purpose. For young girls it is the Bat Mitzvah. All cultures from Inuit Tribes of the Arctic region to the Australian Aboriginals have carried on such traditions for centuries. Today most industrialized nations have substituted more corporate or urbanized versions of these rites of passage for both young men and women.
Anytime we leave behind one period or chapter of our lives to enter an entirely new lifestyle we engage in such a rite of passage either formally or informally. Tonight would be no different.
She had been in the Coffee Shoppe for two hours, working on her i-pad, talking on the phone and waiting... waiting for him to make a move...an introduction... or some lame line to begin the dance. He did not. She rose from her chair in her own smooth graceful manner, gathered her belongings in her case, straightened and smoothed her dress, carefully checking her breast alignment, belt and hemline. She moved deliberately and slowly toward the door, subtly glancing once over her shoulder to see if he was following. He was not.
She slid behind the wheel of her black Jaguar in such a sensual manner that even the car seemed to develop an erection. A young bike courier nearly ran over a dog and wrecked his bike as he tried to get a glimpse of those perfect legs. She pressed the auto start. The engine purred to life. She backed out of her parking space, glanced once again at the door and window of the Coffee Shoppe. He was still in his seat. She sped away feeling both a sense of disappointment and wonder. Had she been wrong. Was he not the target she thought? A momentary doubt crossed her mind. For the first time in her life, her confidence waivered and she had a momentary doubt about her appearance and her desirability.
She cruised on home replaying the moments in the Coffee Shoppe in her mind.
He watched from his perch in his chair like a majestic raptor waiting for its prey to venture out with a false sense of security making a dash for its lair. Thinking it is safe it is swept up and captured in razor sharp talons and carried of to its demise.
He rose from his chair and with cat like reflexes he moved out the side door to his waiting Audi Turbo. The engine was already running from his remote starter. The seat belt slid into place automatically. He had backed into his parking space so he could quickly accelerate away. He entered the freeway and demonstrated the Autobahn class performance of this thoroughbred.
He pulled to the curb three minutes before her. He had scouted the area like the huntsman that he was. He waited. She pulled into her drive. He watched as she left the car, struggled with her bag and glided up her walkway to the front door. Even in the casual environs of her home she walks like a super model on the runway of Hotel de Crillon. Her toned hourglass figure sways with a fluidity usually only seen in Galleries d'Artes. As she struggles slightly to retrieve her keys and unlock the door she does not notice nor hear the figure exiting the car Audi across the street.
He moves with an economy of motion and stealth that a panther would envy. As she unlocks the door and prepares to open it, he is upon her.
He presses her against the door and pulls her hands behind her back. She struggles but is no match for his speed and strength.
