Summer Solace (open)

[DeliciousMaiden]

OOC:
This is wide open… no idea where this is leading…just an opening for others to jump in. My only request it is intended to be a story. As many of you may know, I love developing characters and interaction, not just relying on an action-packed or sexual plot.

Either way - hope you enjoy!

IC:

Turning the page, Charlotte swept an impatient hand through the blonde curtain, which fell forward obscuring her sight. Her eyes scanned without a pause following the text as she settled down once more, her elbow supporting her on the rug as she read on.

The sunglasses shielding her eyes from the sun’s glare, she was absorbed by the story playing out in her imagination as she read on drawn into the plot and eager to find out what would happen next.

Sandals kicked off beside her and a rucksack close by, she was merely one of a throng of people lazing in St James Park that afternoon. Many had escaped the offices at Friday lunchtime and not returned. Charlotte was not one of these truants. She was officially on holiday after an arduous Summer Term coaxing ten year olds through a series of examinations and then the even more hazardous round of school trips dragging kids around educational places of interest and continuously counting groups on and off public transport. School was now well and truly out and from the vantage point of mid-July she now had at least six glorious weeks to fill.

She giggled softly as she finished the chapter. The novel was light and amusing. She reached out and took a sip from the bottle discarded beside her. She stretched her long legs before her. She was still pale, but browning quickly in the hot sun. Her khaki shorts and yellow top hugged her curvaceous figure and complemented her honeying skin, carefully sun screened to prevent burning.

Charlotte glanced round the park. People of all ages surrounded her, families with young children, couples, elderly groups sat on the benches feeding the increasingly raucous birds and young people in groups or couples seated, standing or walking round the park: A scene of drowsy activity.

Pulling her eyes away from those around her, Charlotte pushed away the nagging feeling that she was the only person sat on her own and turned back to her book. At 32 she could have fitted into the family group, but had no family, or into the couples category, only now she now found herself well and truly out of that category!

She sighed, impatient to recapture her previous peace of mind and submerge herself into the events of the paperback she once more spread open before her and began to read once more …

 

[BLACK BART]

Talon

"It has a sad ending you know"

"Excuse me?" She asked as she looked up from the book a growing look of disdain on her face.

"The book you're reading, it has an ending that is hard to take...It'll pull on your heart if you let it"

I smiled my best smile, not trying to pick her up, but trying to shed some of the natural reactions I recieved when people looked at my biker boots, blue jeans and leather jacket.

"I'm sorry, I hate it when the ending is given away myself" I apologized "I just saw the title as I passed..."

A steady stare greeted my words and I sensed a judgement was made...

"I'll leave you to your reading"

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Charlotte

"It has a sad ending you know"

Charlotte raised her head jumping at the voice that disturbed her peace.
"Excuse me?"
The response was supposed to be polite, but as she took in the appearance of this stranger apprehension crossed her mind... a biker.... no bike in sight.. and age... Charlotte was at a loss to calculate.

"The book you're reading, it has an ending that is hard to take...It'll pull on your heart if you let it"

Charlotte smiled sadly. His words touched a nerve.

"Lots of things pull your heart out... and usually those are the things we can't stop..."

As she coloured he seemed not to hear as he continued.

"I'm sorry, I hate it when the ending is given away myself I just saw the title as I passed..."

Her face had become serious, no longer preoccupied with his appearance, much more distracted by her inner thoughts.

"I'll leave you to your reading."

"That's ok." She replied soflty. "Nice to be warned at least. I'm usually equipped with tissues.."

She smiled as he made to move away once again....

 

[BLACK BART]

Talon

I reached into the inner jacket of my "leathers" and pulled out a spotless silk hanky, the initials "T.L. " Sewn into it.

"Use this if you need, perhaps I'll see you in another life and you'll return it"

As she reached for the remant of a better life I noticed her bare ring finger and remarked...

"A young lady like you, not engaged or married, that is a terrible shame"

I saw the flicker of pain spread thru her cheeks and cursed myself for the idiot I was...

"I..I'm sorry, I'm such an idiot sometimes, it was a compliment, not an attempt to pry into where I didn't belong"

The smile that held itself on her face passed as she regarded the fine linen, the question unspoken...

"It was a gift" I answered her thoughts "As it was given to me, I give it to you"

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Charlotte

Charlotte looked down at her book, but realising that the shadow remained over her book she turned her face up to his once more.


"Use this if you need, perhaps I'll see you in another life and you'll return it"
Her hand instinctively reached out for the square of spotless fabric. His words making her curious as she looked at him anew.

"A young lady like you, not engaged or married, that is a terrible shame"

Charlotte pulled her hand back as if stung. She lowered her eyes quickly, pleating the fabric slowly, hoping she would not have use for it sooner than either of them had predicted.

"I..I'm sorry, I'm such an idiot sometimes, it was a compliment, not an attempt to pry into where I didn't belong"

Charlotte shook her head, brushing away the apology, yet unable to quite vocalise the words that it didn't matter, because it did. As she focused on the handkerchief smoothing the folds out gently she wondered how such linen came to end up in a leather jacket pocket.

"It was a gift" He spoke as he read her mind.
"As it was given to me, I give it to you"

Finally she raised her eyes again to his.
"That's... very kind... " she spoke softly, her words feeling strange and yet inadequate.
She didn't need it and was loathe to use it, but could not offend him by returning the gift so graciously offered.

"Perhaps this is best left unread for now. I'll stop whilst it's still happy... I.. wouldn't want to disgrace myself in a public place.." She smiled almost shyly as she closed the book and began to rummage to replace it in her bag.

 

[BLACK BART]

I could see the uneasiness I created and dropped my eyes. How long was it since I had talked to a human being in a normal conversation? Years it seemed since I spoke about the weather or the cost of milk...

"My name is Talon, and you must forgive me, I only wanted to talk to someone...anybody"

I turned and moved away, back towards where I had the Indian parked with the intent to leave so as to not make her any more uncomfortable.

"Talon, you ARE a friggin moron" I cursed myself under my breath...

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Charlotte

"My name is Talon, and you must forgive me, I only wanted to talk to someone...anybody"

She looked up, silent still as he turned and began to move away, not catching the words he uttered as he turned away from her.

Not knowing why, pehaps because she understood what it was to want to talk, not to be lonely, though how this biker could share those feelings seemed very strange, she called him back.

"Talon!" She blushed as he turned in suprise. ".. that's a strange name... " Again she realised she was being tactless." That is .. unusual.. I didn't mean...."

She stopped talking and looked up at him, a rosy glow on her cheeks, but mirth now replacing embarrassment.

"Can I start again?"
She continued before he replied.
"I'm Charlotte." She held out her hand. Once more she found herself holding back the phrase that used to spring so naturally from her lips... " but you can call me Charlie.."...
She could never let anyone call her that again, but Charlotte was difficult to shorten and sounded so formal somehow.

Charlotte looked round unsure what to do now she had called him back.
"I was going to go... but.. I'm in no rush. Sit down if you'd like to.."
She smiled shyly once again and moved up on the rug making space for him.

Her glance as she looked at him was friendly and curious. For the first time in ages she wanted to know about another person. How old was he? Where did he get his name from? Who had given him the handkerchief and why?.. and why did he want to talk to her? .. but he had said hadn't he? He wanted to talk to someone - anyone. She had nothing to fear from him, she knew someone like him wouldn't want to get beyond passing the time of day.

At ease now and not wanting to pry by questionning him, Charlotte merely murmured.
"It's lovely weather isn't it?"
So British she thought to herself as she watched a family of ducks land on the water below them.

 

[BLACK BART]

Talon

I laughed, my blue eyes twinkling.

"And the cost of milk is down this week" I joked, wondering if she had read my mind, then sobered It had cost her to say it, I knew that as I watched her face and her eyes. Her eyes that were so deep...so intense with emotion.

I knelt then turned and sat next to her, my elbows resting on my bent knees.

"I stopped to stretch" I offered lamely, knowing what I looked like and smelled like as well..Being on the open road made me free, flying across the tartop and not having to worry about anything or anyone...But you had to stop, had to take a reality check once in a while...and now I felt strangely intimidated and nervous.

"I was headed...headed to the East" I stammered, not knowing where I was going and not caring til strangely now "My job keeps me moving about"

I wiped my hand over the stubbled growth of beard, knowing the solid black of my hair was now spotted with white, marking me as a man closer to 40 than 30.

"Your name is Charlotte and you are what? A psychiatrist, an attorney?" I guessed as I hoped the faint breeze kept me downwind of her.I was trying to place her, why she seemed to fit her surroundings yet looked out of "sync" with it as well.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Charlotte

Charlotte turned to Talon and joined in with his laughter. The sound released the tension and they eyed each other with mutual curiosity.

"And the cost of milk is down this week"
She nodded, muttering "What could be better?"

Charlotte watched as Talon turned to sit next to her. This time it was he who looked ill at ease at the proximity of their positions.

"I stopped to stretch"
He offered it as if excusing his appearence. She smiled offering no comment.

"I was headed...headed to the East. My job keeps me moving about."
She nodded as if understanding but noted his stubble and somewhat dishevelled appearance. What job could keep him travelling dressed like that and where East was he going? Towards the coast or not as far?

"Your name is Charlotte and you are what? A psychiatrist, an attorney?"

Charlotte laughed.
"Why do I look that type?"
She enquired, lightly.
"I'm a teacher actually... juniors- ten year olds at the moment. That is what I've been doing this school year. I've just left the school I was at so come September I have to decide what to do.. I'm signed up with several agencies - do some supply cover - day by day stuff until I decide where to go next..."

She smiled, embarrassed again.
"Like you needed all that info right? I teach. Always have done - so far."

She sighed and looked out at the peaceful water again.

"I have plenty of decisions to make this summer..."
She turned to him again.
"..and what do you do?... must be exciting.. if you get to travel around so much. Are you English? I can't place your accent?"

She sat comfortably next to him, feeling at ease about questionning him now he had begun to question her.

 

[BadForm]

Terese Milton

Terese propped herself up on her blue-white striped towel, looking across at the couple who had just met a few yards from her. She was watching. It was a sport of hers and one which made her 'job' far more profitable. Who were they? They obviously were strangers, their awkward tones making that plain, and yet his tones seemed, somehow not entirely to be an accurate presentation of who he was. Maybe that was her prejudice, lumping most bikers together, but she felt he was a predator and she his naive victim. That was always fun. Of course, if she was wrong, it would still be fun to watch and learn.

Him. Biker. Near 40. Parked a little way away. Intelligent for his kind, but still dishevilled. Claimed to travel on business, but hardly seemed a businessman - even most delivery drivers looked better than him. Probably deceitful and covering the tracks of who he really was.

Her. Near 30. Educated, definitely. A reader and, from her speech, relatively reserved. She was afraid of reading a book which made her cry in public. Either that, or she was using that as an excuse to be near him - again, showing a little shyness. A teacher, that was what she said, and she had no reason to doubt it.

Terese crossed here near-ebony thighs one over the other and lowered her sunglasses, so they would not be entirely sure she was watching if they caught sight of her. She also allowed her gaze to drift around the park, listening intently, but masking her intention to observe.

 

[BLACK BART]

Talon

I debated telling her a story, then thought better of it...I would spend a (hopefully) pleasant afternnon with this woman and then be on my way, and she could boast of the "odd one" she had one afternoon in the park.

"I'm a behaviour modification specialist" I told her evenly, watching her eyebrows wrinkle in what?....Confusion, distaste?

"I ride the bike to "unwind" between jobs, and I'm afraid it's been a little too long on the road this time"

Thinking of her being a teacher and the age groups she taught, young boys entering puberty, experiencing the "mysteries" of thier bodies maturing...

"You must have your hands full, a gourgeous looking creature like you with a class room full of testosterone driven boys?" I laughed gently "I cam rember my first crush I had on my french teacher, she was 28 and I 14, I dreampt of her each night for months and was crushed when I saw her boyfriend kiss her in front of 'Our Mary's Hall"

The memory faded as fast I spoke of it...a carefree time when a child was able to dream and play...Not like the world that I now lived in.

"You mentioned decisions, Can I be so bold as to ask what kind of decisions?" I asked the long legged beauty...

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Charlotte

"I'm a behaviour modification specialist"
Charlotte frowned as if to say; "... a what?" Was that to do with something psychological, somehow the face did not quite fit... she looked at him, questioningly.

"I ride the bike to "unwind" between jobs, and I'm afraid it's been a little too long on the road this time"

She nodded. Charlotte had never seen the attraction of bikes ... bikes of any kind, but could grasp that riding them gave a sense of freedom. ..... Still things didn't seem to fit and she kept having to reassess her impressions of the stranger before her. He had no reason to lie to her and what did it matter if he did, still...

"You must have your hands full, a gourgeous looking creature like you with a class room full of testosterone driven boys?"
She watched as he laughed. The outrageous flattery lost on her. She had an inbuilt distrust of men right now and felt increasingly uncomfortable as he continued:

"I can rember my first crush I had on my french teacher, she was 28 and I 14, I dreampt of her each night for months and was crushed when I saw her boyfriend kiss her in front of 'Our Mary's Hall"
She did not join in with his reminciscent smile.

"You mentioned decisions, Can I be so bold as to ask what kind of decisions?"

She paused, not wanting to offend him, but not ready to open up to this stranger either.

"Teenage boys are very vulnerable. I've been teaching long enough to know how to deal with... situations ... sensitively.."

She paused, averting her head, her mouth quirking realising she did indeed sound like a prim school ma'am. Lifting her head, Charlotte's eyes met Talon's and she smiled with a contrasting warmth.

"Anyhow.. as I said I teach littler ones now... " She spoke softly, taking the harshness away from her previous statement.

He eyed her curiously. She was a mesh of opposites. On one level open and friendly, but quick to retreat if she felt threatened in anyway, easy to put on the defensive.

He watched as she turned her eyes on him again, her look guarded he could see she was unsure of him, though Charlotte was certain that he would have no inkly of the deep hurt had made her withdrawal necessary. Self protection was the name of the game nowadays.

"...as to decisions.... "
Charlotte's soft voice was deliberately light, as if making a casual observation, but shook slightly as she spoke to him, her eyes fixed on some unspecific sight on the horizon.
"... nothing major.. just.. job.. where to live.. what the hell to do with my life.... "

Her voice trailed off. Her eyes still fixed far off.
A fixed concentration focusing on being natural and light in her response.

She shrugged, as if it were of no importance and forced a smile...

"I'm doing fine..." the smile seemed to say, " .. but keep away..." Rather than inviting closeness, Charlotte used it as a barrier to prevent further intrusion.

 

[BLACK BART]

Talon

Charlotte was a puzzle of opposites to me, her eyes betraying her feelings then going cold at the oddest moment. *Hot and cold* I decided, knowing there was a lot more but doubting if she would let me understand, thinking myself lucky she gave me the time of day...

"Charlie?" I said the word slowly, dragging out the last syllable as I did. "Look, I know there is a lot more you could tell a person and who better to unload on then someone you'll probably never see again. I noticed a small waterside lounge and grill as I rode in and will be eating dinner there about 6 this evening. If you were to appear there as well, I'd buy you a meal and let you talk my head off"

I knew it sounded hoaky, a stranger trying to pick up the first woman he met...But I WAS hungry and the company would be welcome...Glancing down at my wristband I saw the small gloface telling me...

"It's four oclock now, that gives you two hours to decide wether to stand me up...or take a chance and enjoy a free meal with no strings attached"

I stood slowly, brushing the grass from myself as I rose, watching the mirade of colors flit across her face as she tried to form an answer.

"No need to tell me now" I excused her, wanting to make her turning me down easier "I'm going to go clean up and make a couple of stops before eating."

Standing now I looked down at the woman hugging her knees and smiled, hoping she found the answers she looked for.

"It was nice meeting you Charlie, I hope to see you again sometime"

Turning I moved in the direction of the Indian noticing the eyes of a woman resting on me, then flittering away as I tried to make eye contact.

Curious...she was in a park, dressed in a tube top and white shorts that showed her legs, sitting and soaking up the sun....

But there was something that gave him an odd feeling...Not what she appears to be, the voice said in his mind...But it was none of his business...

 

[Lady Talia]

Talia

I walked slowly down the path, my hair billowing about me like a black curtain.

I had always heard the phrase love hurts but I never had quite understood the depth of hurt one could truely experience.

In my sorrow i walked right into the biker.

"Sorry" I muttered under my breath ignoring his gaze.

"No problem"

I sat beside a woman reading a book. She looked in her late twenties and from her countenance i got the feeling that she was quite the paradox.

My manners were remembered after many seconds of tense silence.

"Good evening, fine weather for a stroll is it not?"

She looked at me startled, seemingly surprised at my sudden speech.

"I guess" she offered nothing more. her whole manner seemed to exude a slight feeling of coldness.

I was never one to take a hint however and my nervousness showed in my rapid non sensical speech.

"You kow, it would be nice if you at least talked to me or you know said something and stopped cting so cold. That's the problem with you older folks, espcially the beautiful ones. Am I that unsightly that you can't even say hi"

I watched her eyes as they darted over to me in surprise and slight amusement. Undaunted, with flushed cheeks I rambled on.

"I just wanted someone to talk to you know" I said softly, sadly, less enthusiastically" A stranger who didn't know all the mistakes I made. But I guess I shouldn't except that. After all..this is a cruel world"

I stared off into the distance, the throng of bodies swirling about me.

"Don't worry"I said at last " forget i said anything, let me merge back out of existance, just another face"

With that I rested my head back on the bench and sighed my cheeks red. Of all the ways to approach someone.

 

[BLACK BART]

Talon

I clutched and shifted into second, the smooth power and acceleration of the old bike throbbing under me as I swung through the loop that led out of the park...

Another woman had seated herself already, next to Charlie and was engaging her in conversation as she looked up from the book.

*Perhaps that is what you need, a womans gentle touch to heal you* I thought of her, no hard feelings coming from it...just a growing lonliness that I lived with.

*I hope you heal quickly and let yourself live* I wished her as I leaned into the curve and gunned the accelerator, smiling at the raw power and sound as the engine responded..sending me towards my room and a hot shower...

 

[Lady Talia]

Talia

I watched the man roar away on the bike as i desperately wished to sink into oblivion.

My face was flushed and I wished I hadn't said anyhthing at all.

 

[BadForm]

Terese Milton

Interesting attempt to pick her up, and if Terese found out where she lived in time, he would know too. It would be interesting to see what develloped between the two of them. He claimed to be a behavior modification expert. No psychologist would term themselves that, it was too wordy to be understood. Certainly no social worker would. That meant he was almost certainly something else, and that was intriguing. What was he? Her mind drifted across the idea of a white slaver, but few of them were so subtle in their attempts to pick someone up for their trade. Perhaps something else similar, one of the weird guys she'd heard of who were employed by guys to teach their women 'their place'? Perhaps. Of course, he could just be some jumped up loser looking to pretend to be more than he was.

And then the new girl arrived. Terese couldn't tell much about her from the briefly burbled speech so far. She was nervous, certainly, and the comment about someone who didn't know her mistakes told her a lot. Firstly, the girl's story was not likely to be as shocking as she thought it was. After all, if it were she would not be likely to talk to a stranger about it in the middle of a park where anyone could here. For all she would know the stranger could be a cop, or a cop could be listening. Well, the woman claimed to be a teacher. Many of them had a compassionate side which meant Terese was probably about to learn more.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Charlotte

"Charlie?"

Charlotte winced as he used the now loathed nickname.

As if from a distance she heard his inviation.

"Look, I know there is a lot more you could tell a person and who better to unload on then someone you'll probably never see again. I noticed a small waterside lounge and grill as I rode in and will be eating dinner there about 6 this evening. If you were to appear there as well, I'd buy you a meal and let you talk my head off"

He was asking her out, or so it seemed, or.. at least encouraging her to talk to him. But why would he? Did he want to analyse her or whatever it was he did. Perhaps he was desperate for clients…

"It's four o’clock now, that gives you two hours to decide whether to stand me up...or take a chance and enjoy a free meal with no strings attached"

She smirked to herself. “No such thing as a free meal,” She thought and that was the last thing she was after anyhow.
She wouldn’t stand him up, nor would she keep him guessing, she would make it quite clear that his invitation would not be accepted….

"No need to tell me now" he interrupted her.
"I'm going to go clean up and make a couple of stops before eating."

For a listener he sure went on. She pulled her knees up adopting an unconsciously self-protecting posture. Somehow, she didn’t trust him. But maybe it wasn’t him. She just didn’t trust men!

"It was nice meeting you Charlie, I hope to see you again sometime".

Again that name! Again she flinched. How dare he call her that…. But she could not summon anger, only remembered pain for all the associations he unwittingly dragged up and threw in her face by what was supposed to be a fond appellation.

“My name’s Charlotte...”
Her voice was soft, almost as if to assure her that she was no longer the person who had been known in that way… but he had turned and walked away, ignoring on of the most telling phrases she had uttered as yet.

Again, Charlotte sought refuge in her book. Resolutely she blocked out the previous exchange and quickly became absorbed again. She enjoyed reading, but this was a technique she had perfected, shedding the reality which pained her and immersing herself in the fantasy she could control by turning a page or closing the cover.

"Good evening, fine weather for a stroll is it not?"

The female voice came from close by and startled Charlotte.
She looked up, once again reluctant to be drawn out of her imaginary refuge.

"I guess…"

In her mind Charlotte wondered, “Now what.. what did the woman want. Usually London was pretty anonymous. The good weather had revived the need to commune with one’s fellow man.. and what a time for it to happen!”

"You know, it would be nice if you at least talked to me or you know said something and stopped acting so cold. That's the problem with you older folks, especially the beautiful ones. Am I that unsightly that you can't even say hi"

Charlotte’s book dropped from her hands. The voice was petulant. She could not hold back a smile… older folks indeed.. how old was this girl? … the beautiful ones… oh yeah.. right… she laughed. Her eyes roamed over the girl. She was far from unsightly, though she was unsure of her age.

"I just wanted someone to talk to you know. A stranger who didn't know all the mistakes I made. But I guess I shouldn't expect that. After all..this is a cruel world"

Whilst Charlotte could identify with the wish, the need to talk, there was something melodramatic about this individual.
“.. this is a cruel world” ?? Didn’t she know it, thought Charlotte.
Despite herself, Charlotte found herself watching the stranger until she uttered.

"Don't worry forget i said anything, let me merge back out of existence, just another face …"

The woman settled on a bench with the air of the tragic about her.

“Many faces, many cruelties… even us older folks have our crosses to bear…”
Charlotte spoke softly, her comment intended to sympathise and indicate common feeling, but not necessarily giving an opening for extended discussion.

Her mind switched to calculating what to do next.
Four o’clock he’d said. Perhaps she’d best get back to the flat before rush hour, though she hated the thought of a lonely Friday night. Still ... a Friday of loneliness was an improvement on the Friday nights of the past year.

She sighed heavily.

 

[BLACK BART]

Talon

I stood at the bar of the fireside lounge...sipping at the drink I was surprised they stocked the ingredients for...

Everything in this land made me feel like the outcast I was...the drink. The food...the accents of the common language I thought we shared...even the way I dressed compared to them.

I had made a stop at a local haberdashery...their name for a five and dime-clothing store. And bought a pair of leather pants and loose sweater that the shining eyed young lady behind the counter swore was "the" style for all young men...And then used the shower, shaving and showering my shoulder length hair, washing away the grime of past days...but not the memories..

Now I stood sipping my JD and Dew, watching the occupants of the room as they moved, waiting for the table for two I had asked for...and her...

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Charlotte

Charlotte stood in the doorway, hesitating. She had only come in here for a drink she excused herself and if she happened to bump into Talon, well... co incidences happened.

She checked her watch. It was ten past six. He had said six, so no doubt he would be eating already and there would be no question of her joining him.

She slipped through the group stood before her and was suprised that there was such a crowd. The sun had obviously brought everyone out. She looked at her clothes self-consciously. She had discarded the shorts and pulled on a denim skirt. It was the only change she had in the light rucksack she still carried with her. She had not had time to go home and change or shower. She knew that if she had she would have lost her nerve and she admitted to herself, the very reason she was here was to avoid returning to the empty alien flat. She had *not* come to meet him of course, she told herself again.

In vain she searched for a solitary table and finally gave up and went to order a drink. She would have one drink and go. No harm in that. ... and it would make her miss most of rush hour on the train.

As the barman approached she considered ordering a lemonade. To hell with that she thought,
"Dry martini .." she told him and leaned on the bar waiting for her drink to be prepared.

 

[BadForm]

Terese Milton

For a teacher who probably spent all her day finding out what everyone in her class had done wrong, the woman was incredibly easy to tail. She had gone, perhaps unwittingly, to the bar that her would-be lover had suggested. More than that, there, waiting at a table, was him. Now, she was late. How would he react? Terese took a table between them and listened carefully, ordering a drink as she did so.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Charlotte

<< posted in error>>

sorry x

DM

 

[BLACK BART]

Talon

"Sir, Will you be needing your table?"

Nodding I followed the young man to a corner table, taking the seat he offered and resigning myself to another meal alone.

"Bring me a fresh drink and I'll order when it arrives"

It would give me a few more minutes to wait, I thought...


Looking around the crowded room I saw couples...old, young, middle aged...all in various moods, but having one thing in common...another person to talk to...to share what was important in thier lives...

"And how do I tell someone what I do for a living" I asked myself out loud, then turned as the voice behind me sounded...


"Sir, your drink as you requested, and a menu."

Reading the offered pasteboard I sipped the fresh drink and considered the choices...

 

[Lady Talia]

Talia

Left alone on the bench I got up and began to wander aimlessly in the direction that the woman had just gone, seeing a bar I walked in, hoping to get something to eat before I fell down. Imagine my surprise when I saw that lady in there also.

How uncanny I thought as I ordered a tonic and gin cocktail.

I took the time then to notice this Indian looking woman. I noticed how beautiful she was and wished I could have such beautiful skin. I sighed a little thinking of my self-loathing.

Ronald would be home by now and would be angry cause there is no dinner. I could prepare for a beating in the least tonight.

I swallowed down the last of the drink and ordered another, also stuffing my face with a particularly tasty beef sandwich.

I felt like getting lost in the world for once. I let me eyes shift back to the woman from the bench.hm.did I ever find out her name?

What the heck I thought.

"Hey, I’m the sad one from the bench ' I said shakily in a too happy voice, "And not to bother you much or anything, but I didn't get your name. I like to know people's name for future reference"

I smiled a little too brightly as she stared at me with something akin to slight shock and annoyance. After all it seemed I was openly stalking her. I laughed at this. Me, a stalker...

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Charlotte

Charlotte sipped her dry martini trying not to look self conscious. He wasn't there. Not that she was looking.

"Hey, I’m the sad one from the bench. And not to bother you much or anything, but I didn't get your name. I like to know people's name for future reference"

Charlotte looked round in surprise realising that the comment had been directed at her. She recognised the woman from the park and remembered her strange comments.

"Hello.."
She replied softly. Not wanting to be rude.

Glancing around the place, Charlotte's eyes returned to the stranger once more. She felt happier actually talking to someone, rather than just waiting to be picked up.

"I'm Charlotte.. and your name is..?"
Charlotte enquired shyly, opening up the conversation....