As much as I love the moon, I also love the sun. My 2 most favorite times of the daylight hours are at dawn and at dusk, watching the sun rise over the ocean or watching the sun set beyond the horizon. I am almost always awake in the morning, long before the sun and take great pleasure in taking the 5 minute walk to the little private cove the next block over. Only during low tide can I walk along the wet sand and walk in the water. During high tide, I sit on the rocks and watch the waves roll in. Regardless of low tide or high tide, watching the sun rise and seeing the reflection in the water is very tranquil, hearing the waves roll in and the birds in the background, when everyone else is still asleep, is about as peaceful as I could ask for and I try to enjoy the sunrise as often as weather permits.
This morning, it was already bright and sunny when I awoke. I was confused, wasn't sure what day it was, what time it was, where I was supposed to be, or if I was late for any commitments. I look at the clock and the green glowing numbers show 10:19am. Startled at the late hour, confused over why I was still in bed, I jumped into a sitting position, trying to get a grasp on reality and bring things into focus.
After a moment, I realize things seem out of place. My blankets are wrapped and twisted together, my extra pillow is on the floor, the bed sheets are wet and there is a belt from a robe that I don't recognize, tied to the bed post.
"Oh Aurora", I say out loud. "What have you done this time?"
I climbed out of bed and searched for my robe. It was not in the same spot where I leave it every night. A quick scan of the room yields no results. I walk to the bathroom and it's not on the hook. I walk to the kitchen and it's not hanging off the back of a chair. I look out the back of the kitchen window and spot my robe by the fire pit.
As if I were hit in the head by the "instant memory rock", the events of the night before became all too clear. I was out last night, dancing to the music of my drums and bells by the warm glow of the fire, under the bright light of the full moon, as is normal for me. A "peeping Tom" was watching me from the kitchen window of my landlords place, which in all honesty was very exciting. When "Tom" appeared by my side, natural instinct took over and we mated. I can't explain it other than to say, nothing felt wrong or out of place, in fact it felt as if I were fulfilling a role intended for me, following fate's script and I found myself smiling.
I walked out the back door to the fire pit to collect my robe. I found my scarf tied to the lawn chair and collected that too. I scanned the area, looking for anything else I might have left behind. I found my radio and an empty water pitcher then carried my things back into the kitchen.
I smile as my mind takes me back to the night before. I now remember well the events by the fire, but I must admit things become a blur after I was led from the fire to my bedroom. I don't remember if he ever told me his name, if we agreed to meet up again soon, exactly what kind of play went on (although that belt tied to the bed post makes me wonder who was tied and who was in control), or if I can expect to ever see him again. With these thoughts, I decide it's time to shower and get my day started, albeit far later than intended.
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Days went by and I had not heard from Tom at all. My inspection of the landlord's place didn't show that anyone had been there. I couldn't find any other evidence that Tom was ever there. I began to doubt myself and wonder if I dreamed the entire evening, but I seriously knew Tom was real. He just left as silently as he came in. It wasn't more than a week of always looking over my shoulder, looking for signs of his return, checking my voicemail and email, I began to realize he was like a ship passing in the night, never to return.
