A Tearful Sensation

A Tearful Sensation

Morgan was almost on her way. She had been rushing around all week to get everything she needed for her trip. It wasn’t the Caribbean and it wasn’t Europe but she was ready for a vacation: anywhere. Her brother had moved to Seattle last year and was always asking her to visit. She was short on cash and this seemed like the most affordable way to manage a get-away. Her job had been promising her a raise for months now. She wasn’t sure it was going to happen. She could barely afford anything lately. Going to her local bookstore, her favorite pastime,was becoming a challenge. She loved books and couldn’t resist picking one up each time she was in there.  Her latest acquisition for the plane ride was 50 Shades of Grey. Usually, she didn’t read those commercially pushed books but she thought she would give it a try. From what she had picked up as she browsed through it; her eyeballs might be bulging on the plane. Hopefully, no one would notice.

She had made plans to meet her friend, Beatrice, for dinner. It would be their last night together before her departure. Both of them loved Italian food. Morgan enjoyed her company so much. She was a good listener and always made her laugh. When they were together time passed quickly.

Walking into Louigi’s was a delight for the senses. The aromas captured your taste buds before you reached your table. Over a glass of Cabernet and a delicious chicken picatta, she told Beatrice about her desire to find a better paying job. Perhaps, Seattle would hold that possibility.

They discussed all of the adjustments Morgan would have to make. She had never had a car. There was no need when you lived in Manhattan. Her apartment was centrally located to her job and the many places she loved to frequent. Broadway was a short distance. She loved the theater. She had made sure she could go there from her apartment. Everyone commented on her good fortune to have found it. They talked about her living with her brother. How would he accept her? She wasn’t the same Morgan he had grown up with. He had told her she would probably need to pedal to work. Beatrice couldn’t imagine Morgan on a bike. She wasn’t a sporty person.  A drama queen, an artist – yes.

She would be supportive of her decision. She would miss her but Beatrice wasn’t about to talk her out of it. She didn’t know if they could survive the separation. This was going to test their commitment.

When they first met at the bookstore, neither one had expected their relationship to go in the direction it did. They had never been in a lesbian relationship. They had dated guys in high school and college. Yet, when they were talking about books and movies or theater it was as if they were in a dreamland. Now, after nine months the possibility of this relationship falling apart was devastating for Beatrice.

While sipping their espresso, Morgan joked about Seattle having coffee shops on every corner.  She motioned jittery shaky hands from too much caffeine. Beatrice loved her animated personality. The way Morgan always seemed to be on stage even as she talked about the simplest thing. She couldn’t endure sitting across from her any longer.  She knew she would lose it. Her eyes were filling with tears.

Outside the air was thick as it usually is in Manhattan during late summer evenings.  The street lights were blindingly bright. Perhaps, it was her tears welling up again. They held hands. They walked quietly. They reached the pier at sunset. It was the perfect time for lovers not good-byes. With deep sorrow, they hugged. This was a memory Beatrice could reflect on while Morgan was gone.

 

Short Story Slam Week # 27: Locations and Sensations  - for this challenge, please write a story or a poem, using a minimum of 8 or more words provided at Bluebell Books. Here are the words ….

 

 

 

http://bluebellbooks.blogspot.com/2012/09/short-story-slam-week-27-locations-and.html