1.
"There's a lot I want to say to you, and I'm sure you have much you wish to say to me too. I'd like to tell you my story first, while it's still fresh in my mind. Then we can make brand new memories.
I remember the day I met you. It'll always be burned into my memory. I had a temporary job driving a snow plough. It was a very sunny morning in New York, even though everything was covered in snow. The air was frigid, but nobody was in a foul mood. I was quite oblivious of all the people shuffling along the icy sidewalks, each hurrying to get out of the bitter cold. Back then I never really had anything to occupy my thoughts, I seemed to float through life in an odd state somewhere between being awake and falling asleep.
Yet on that particular day I remember my reverie was shattered much like your brake light. Your car was parked with it's ass at a funny angle, and the plough of my truck gouged a chunk out of it. It was both our faults, looking back, but I was far too stubborn to admit it at the time. So were you.
'You idiot, are you blind?' You asked me as you came out of the store you were in, holding your steaming coffee, looking adorable in that woolly pink hat. You reminded me of a little girl walking around her house, wearing her mothers shoes, trying to act grown up.
'No, lady, did you get your drivers licence in the bottom of a cereal box?' I was on the defensive.
'How dare you!'
After some more bickering I climbed from the cabin of my truck and inspected the damage to both our vehicles. I knew the company's insurance would cover the minimal damage to my truck, but I wasn't so sure about yours. I felt a little bad, even though you were rude. You started to look a little heartbroken at the damage to your car, so I decided to try and make you feel better. After all, I'm no good at stopping women from crying, best to nip it in the bud before hand.
'Look, it's not that bad...' I pushed a part of the damaged rear end, and I cringed inside when I saw a large chunk of the cracked brake light fall out and shatter on the ground.
'Just don't touch anything, you're making it worse!' You demanded.
I held my hands up in surrender and backed away from the car, but I couldn't help but smirk a little at the situation.
I remember it taking forever and a day for the police to arrive. I offered for you to sit in my truck and wait for the police, but you declined. I know now that you were just being stubborn, and that you really wanted to. You were starting to shiver. I was tempted to offer you my jacket, but... you were rude.
2.
When the police cruiser pulled away after ten or fifteen minutes, I realised that our time together was then up. I resisted the urge to ask for your number, or blurt out 'when am I going to see you again?'. In a very strange way I enjoyed our time together.
When we parted ways that frigid morning back in December, you were all I could think of. I sat there in the hot cabin of my truck, the snow heavy and drifting right at my windscreen, trying to make my mind up about your ethnicity. Mexican? Maybe. Puerto Rican? Perhaps. I snatched my copy of your insurance form which was laying on the passenger seat and read your handwriting; Tashauna Galilahi. 'At least I know her name..' Even though I had no idea where the name came from, it was the prettiest name I'd ever heard.
The remainder of that day went by slowly, you invaded my thoughts on numerous occasions. I gave away all of your contact details to the manager of my company -- a pretty small organisation -- they'd sort it all out. I was nearing the end of my third route for the day and the sun was beginning to set over the city. The bronze light of the descending sun cast long shadows across the city and made everything look attractive. Above, the heavens were a kaleidoscope of shifting hues as faint stars shone through the dark blue which was gathering behind the retreating sun. Soon, the scrubbed tin plate of the moon cast it's nostalgic milky light before my tired eyes. I was ready for bed. After having returned the truck to the depot, I walked the short distance back to my apartment and after what seemed an eternity I was warm and in bed. Once again you infiltrated my thoughts and stayed with me until I found sleep.
The next few months seemed to drift by for me, Christmas was forgettable and I celebrated the New Year by myself. Life just wasn't turning out how I'd expected. Over those few months I allowed myself to think of you, I'd forgotten your name -- although I knew it was beautiful -- but not your face. I think it was your eyes that attracted me most. They were exotic yet familiar, they brimmed with kindness. I often tried to analyse what exactly it was that made me so attracted to you, but I could never quite place it. I'd given up hope of ever seeing you again, even though I'd have loved to, if even once. I didn't know why I felt so strongly about it.
My prayers were answered that day in April, I know you remember it. I was working days in a little café, and you walked right in. Without any warning, there you were. I thought at first you didn't recognise me, my heart was in my throat, but then you said it:
'Oh look, it's the snow man.' I could tell there was no malice in your voice.
'Learn how to park yet?' I gave you a small smile to let you know I was teasing.
'Still as rude as ever.' I saw the hint of a smile as you said it, and I couldn't quite translate what your eyes were saying to me.
3.
I don't remember what you ordered, but I remember our whole conversation. By the look on your face, you do too. I was quite surprised that we started talking almost like long lost friends. I remember you hesitating after I'd got your order, I knew you didn't want to leave. So I blurted out:
'Let me make it up to you.' as a humble quietness fell over us both.
'Huh? Make what up to me?'
'Me hitting your car. Let me make it up to you.'
'I thought it wasn't your fault?' your face lit up with a big warm smile as you said it.
'Oh, it wasn't, but at least let me buy you coffee some time.' your smile was infectious, it got me started.
You tucked a rebellious lock of amber hair behind your ear and in almost a whisper said 'Okay.'
'Okay.' I mimicked, with a victorious smile. My mind was actually swirling and I nearly fell over, but I hid it well.
'What time do you finish? I'll come and meet you after work.' I wasn't quite expecting you to suggest meeting so soon, but I could hardly complain.
'At six thirty. You want my number, just in case something comes up?' my hands were shaking as I grabbed a post-it from beside the cash register.
'You think I won't show?' you challenged.
'No, I trust you.' I tossed the piece of paper to one side, my heart was racing in my chest so hard I thought you might be able to actually hear it.
'You should, I'm a very trustworthy person.' you said matter-of-factly, which I found adorable.
And with that you were gone. Slowly I became aware of my surroundings again, and I realised just how much I'd lost myself in your eyes. Every fiber of my being was focused completely on you. I'd never felt that before, and I missed you already. You'd suddenly become my most favorite distraction.
True to your word, you were there a few minutes after six thirty. You looked prettier than earlier, although I couldn't place it. I'd have liked to believe that you went and made yourself look more pretty just for me, but I doubted that was the case. Either way, you were stunning.
4.
That evening was perfect. The coffee turning into dinner, dinner paved the way for drinks at your favorite little bar. Your company was intoxicating, I felt as if I was breathing you in with each breath, and you were making me high. The dim lights in the bar reflected in your eyes, and because of the few drinks we'd had, I was having difficulty resisting the urge to kiss you. Looking back, I think we were talking more than anyone in the whole room, at least it felt like it. We sat close and shared our lives, it was so easy to talk to you, and I loved hearing about your life. I was very impressed to hear that you were a writer, and I found out your surname was Native American and that that was the majority of your ethnicity -- I was way off.
When the big lights in the bar went on near midnight and the magic of the atmosphere was destroyed, we headed out into the mild spring night. The air was still and we walked toward your apartment, I remember I kept telling myself to walk slower, I didn't ever want that night to end. But after you started yawning, I felt a little selfish and just wanted to get you home so you could sleep. At the stoop of your apartment we had our first kiss, it was long and tender. I could feel your heart beating against my chest, or maybe that was my heart. Even though I had you pulled into me close, you pressed harder against me, as if our tight embrace just wasn't close enough. You're stronger than you look, I almost stumbled backwards. After what seemed an eternity -- but also seemed like a second or two -- we broke apart and caught our breaths, and with a quiet "Goodnight" you were gone. At the time I thought maybe I'd done or said something wrong, but now I realise you were a little embarrassed that you'd let yourself go quite like you did. I could taste you all the way home, and I almost cried when I brushed my teeth after getting in. Yet I still had the very subtle scent of your perfume on me, and I refused to wash that off until the morning.
I called you from work the very next morning, I accidentally woke you up on your day off, but I was fortunate enough to listen to you wake up. You sounded so adorable, I'd have given anything at that moment to be right next to you, watching you wake up. The little girly sounds you were making made me want to quit work, and sprint to your apartment right then.
That was it. Has it really been 4 months? We were inseparable from then on. We met as often as possible, and you often came into the café to see me. Sometimes just for a 5 minute chat, any free moment you had. You introduced me to your colleagues, and I was able to put a face to some of the people I'd spoken to when I'd phone your work to talk to you. We all went for drinks sometimes, I felt like I was truly becoming a part of your life, and I loved every second. You got along really well with my friends too, they quite impressed indeed which made me proud.
5.
