Hi again, readers. Something a little different this time. It's not your typical sexual coupling/graphic hardcore piece per se, so if that's what you're looking for, sorry to disappoint you. This is slightly more of a "cerebral" piece, but I really hope you'll take the 10 minutes or so to read it -- it's short, but sweet. Anyway, enjoy!
I looked up from my laptop one late afternoon just in time to see two young women come in through the front door of the coffee house. They looked to be in their late twenties, and might have been from the architect's office across the street, or the law firm up the block. Both were very stylish in their business suits, skirts, and heels. As I was sitting in the corner, they passed quickly out of my line of vision, heading toward the bar. With nothing more to look at, I returned my gaze to the vast array of drudgery currently on my computer screen.
In a few minutes, the two would-be mavens of business reappeared, glasses of wine in hand, and seated themselves on a small sofa just off to my side. Finally, something interesting to pay attention to! I'd been slogging along through the work of my real job for the last two hours, and frankly, I was tired of it. Writing is, for the moment, only a hobby, but I am a full-time people watcher. It wasn't necessarily the fact that the two were attractive -- they definitely were -- it was more the interactions between the two of them that intrigued me. My writer's mind shifted into gear as I surreptitiously observed the two sitting near me. The shorter of the two, the brunette, was obviously upset about something or someone. It was almost painful to watch her face cloud over, recounting to the other girl the source of her discontent. They were speaking in low tones, and I could only hear snippets of the conversation over the coffee house's ambient music...
"...can't believe she expects me to deal with that!"
"She didn't copy you on any of the e-mails?" asked the redhead.
"No! And then she acts like I should have known what she was talking about in front of the entire panel. I was so embarrassed when she..."
I decided I would definitely not like to be on her bad side. Her curly brown hair framed a flawless olive complexion. Big, brown eyes behind sophisticated glasses. Every bit the young professional. 'Maybe of Middle Eastern decent?' I asked myself. Another interesting facet of the conversation was that the other girl, a redhead, appeared to be taking notes on a small steno pad, occasionally asking more questions, as if she were doing an interview.
"...so what did John say afterwards?"
"...pulled into his office and reprimanded like I was some fifth-grader misbehaving..."
This back-and-forth went on for some time, and I only half paid attention to the conversation after this, since it really wasn't any of my business, and I had no idea who or what they were really talking about anyway. Oh well, back to work. In about another 10 minutes I realized I could barely see the screen of my laptop any more, the lowering sun being in the perfect position over the buildings across the street to scorch my retinas. I put my sunglasses on, and would have continued working away, had I not heard the phrase "Have you ever read this?" spoken by the redhead. As a writer, I'm always interested in what other people read. She held up a book called "____________________". (I will refrain from putting the real title here, since I don't need any possible repercussions from anyone.)
"Oh, yeah! My friend Jennifer told me about that book -- I finished it maybe a month ago," said the brunette.
"Oh, my God," said the redhead. "I can't believe some of the things in this book!" The two of them started giggling. My interest was now officially piqued again. And the fact that I was wearing sunglasses kept them from realizing I was watching them from less than 10 feet away. 'Now, if they would just turn the background music down a little,' I thought. Before my eyes, I saw something I'd never really witnessed before. There was a transformation taking place, little by little. The brunette's features, so hard and strained before, were softening -- the furrow in her brow began to smooth out, her eyes were smiling, and her motions and gestures were more relaxed. They continued to talk about the book, although in hushed tones, I'm guessing because of the sexual content.
"...hilarious talking about the one-night stand. I've had that happen before..."
"I know! Isn't that such a crappy thing to have happen?" said the redhead.
"...I mean what do you do at three in the morning when that happens?" The two of them burst out in little giggles again. I could only imagine what they were talking about now, and I was dying to know more. The two were obviously having a great time reminiscing about their book. The discussion went on, with bunches of interesting little snippets. Then there was a lull in the music, and I heard another intriguing bit.
"So...ummm, what did you think of the part about 'living in the moment'? About...you know...bisexuality?" the redhead asked.
'You had me at hello,' I said to myself. Like a storm front approaching, the mood of the conversation changed. I could see it in both of their faces. They were both a little subdued about the subject at first, but at the same time, I sensed an almost latent -- excitement, or maybe at least openness to it. The next thing I realized was the subtle change in body language. This was the part that amazed me. The girls both slouched a little lower on the seat, getting comfortable. The brunette leaned in a little closer, resting her head on the high back of the sofa. The redhead put her head on her hand, her elbow also resting on the back of the sofa. Little signs as they talked on in loud whispers -- Oh how I wish the music were a little lower! Just then, like magic, a different type of music, some soft jazz, began issuing from the speakers. Yesss!
"...can understand her point about not caring whether it was..." the brunette was saying. The redhead was held in rapt attention, as was I.
"...guess the biggest thing is that it was always so taboo like in high school..."
"...are more open-minded in some ways now, but more closed-minded at other..." This was getting more and more interesting.
