Eric Stone - Strangers

Strangers

The sublime sounds of Chopin played quietly in the background.

“Everything has to be perfect!” Eric Stone said to himself. He played the night out in his head, all the preparation, all his work, from the placement of every rose petal to the lavender scented candles, now glowing a soft orange on the tables of the small room, her room. Excitement filled his body, causing a nervous twitch.

“It will be perfect” he criticized himself. He moved lightly through the room, swaying to the music as it reached a crescendo. The deep red of the rose petals, laid against the dark mahogany wooden floors gave him a mental shiver. Slowly Stone made his way to the bathroom, making minor adjustments to the candles, the pathway of petals, the draped cloth.

Finally in the bathroom, Stone took a quick glance at his watch. “Twenty-five minutes” he spoke to no one in particular. He sat on the toilet and took a cigarette from his shirt pocket. The sharp, cool taste of menthol burst in his mouth and lungs, and his excitement slowly subdued.

“Fifteen minutes.” His watch ticked away, the sound drowning out the sweet symphony of music. The reek of cigarette smoke mixed with the subtle smell of lavender. He stood at the sink. His reflection was charming; deep blue eyes stared back at him, the neatly trimmed beard peppered with white. Time had been kind to him indeed. He splashed cold water on his face. The excitement began to build again, five minutes. He ran through the list in his mind, checking and double checking. Everything had to be perfect; everything had to be just right. He returned to the living room, the only light coming from the burning candles.

“Show time.” The door opened, creaking on its hinges as it swung wide, letting in light from the hall.

“Oh my god…” It was a woman’s voice, surprised, confused, and fearful. It was her. His heart skipped a beat. He reached out to her and they fell into a dance. He was familiar with it, and he was excited. It was perfect ecstasy, she was perfect; the way she felt in his hands, the way she smelled. Than they were on the ground and he found himself on top of her, and in that moment he bent down and kissed her a final goodbye, closing her eyes as he left.