I don't think that I knew what to expect as I sat outside of the bus terminal waiting for her. It had been five years since I had seen her. It had been five years since I had heard her voice. Five years since I had loved her. I suppose that after graduation the novelty of the "tough tom boy" had worn off to her and she went on to marry and have children and become a well behaved house wife. I had gone on to one night stands with "curious" college girls in bars, working 80 hours a week and living alone. I knew what I wanted in my life, and every night I kicked myself for falling into the trap of lies that she did too.
I sat in my car and lit another cigarette. She told me that I would recognize her, that she hadn't changed. I lifted my eyes from my freshly lit Marlboro and there she stood. God was she right. She was still as beautiful as ever. And even from a distance I could still see her piercing green eyes full of mystery and intrigue. The way the sun cut through her red highlights. She was still as perfect as night she left my room for what I thought was forever.
I stepped out of my car and held up a hand. I realized then maybe I should have worn something a bit more classy than blue jeans and a white tank top but was frankly in to much of a trance to care. She picked up her bag and walked towards me. She threw her arms around my neck and suddenly I was engulfed in the smell of coconut and citrus. It swept threw my senses and brought a smile to my face.
"Thank you for coming to get me. I didn't know who else to call. I just needed to get away. I can't handle him anymore," she said to me with tears forming in her eyes.
"It's okay, I'm here," I said putting m arm comfortingly around her shoulders as I had so many nights before. I picked up her bag and walked her to my car.
Not much was said the entire ride back to my house. She looked out the window and occasionally cracked a joke about how things hadn't changed. If she only knew...
When we got back to my house, we were met by the sound of dogs barking. "Sounds like you have a full house," she said with a smile. I took her bag from the back seat and began walking up the drive. She reached forward and took my hand. I glanced over my shoulder in slight shock, but enjoying the touch. She let go as quickly as she had taken my hand realizing she may have crossed a line. It was late, and I could tell she was tired. I led her to my guest room and asked her if she needed anything. "No, I think I am going to try to get some sleep. Will you be offended if we don't talk until the morning? The bus ride was horrible and I am exhausted."
"Not at all. I'm right down the hall if you need anything," I said taking one last look at her from head to toe. I couldn't help but notice how child birth had swelled up her already large breasts and filled out her already full hips. She wreaked of beauty and grace from every pore of her body. I resisted the temptation to take her in my arms and kiss her good night. Knowing something was wrong at home I didn't want to risk upsetting her escape for safety and let the temptation rest.
I walked to my room, turning back to the now closed door only once. For some reason I thought that maybe she would open the door. She did not.
I stripped down to nothing and climbed into bed. The satin sheets against my bare skin always felt so nice. I lit a cigarette and began searching through late night television shows hoping to find something to fall asleep to. I settled on the 11 o'clock news, put out my cigarette and rolled over. I had just begun to doze off when I heard my bedroom door open. Figuring it was one of the dogs coming in for the night, I paid it little mind. Then my room smelled of coconut and citrus. It was her!
"I haven't slept alone in years, would you mind some company?"