They were fond of each other
I had the most beautiful dream...
We had decided, we were going to America! A trip to San Francisco with three friends, a trenchcoat, and a suticase. A friendly lady escorted us from the airport. She had a smiling face and the gestures of a much older woman. We trusted her and followed through long and straight, narrow and winding streets. She took my hand like a mother and spoke to me of heartfelt freedom and other things that I have lost. We stood in the middle of the road between the trams. All I had on beneath my beige trenchcoat was my underwear. Beige- the colour of reservation! My underwear, however, were rose red.
My coat blew open briefly and I cinched it to my chest, buttoning it tighter. You seemed to roll up beside me and I forgot that you were following. You gave me a look somewhere inbetween understanding, reproach, and desire. You held my hand.
I said that I thought we should pretend, at some point on our trip, that we were a rich couple. Old money. We would demand the fanciest room at an expensive hotel. We would put on airs and we would get away with it. You said that you though it would suit us. You didn't let go of my hand.
We remembered where we were. San Francisco at our feet! The woman led us into a hotel, the lobby was run down, but pleasant. As she made arrangements with the concierge, we sat on the upholstered couch, close together. The others had not yet caught us up. My feet were tired, we had walked so far!
Our guide came back to us and sat on the other side of me. She said we must wait as the staff prepared our rooms. She looked weary, and laid her head on my shoulder. My hand lay, palm upturned, in your lap. You lifted it swiftly, and softly touched my fingers to your mouth, tracing your lips. My eyes closed. It was as if, with this one simple movement, you had overcome all the obstacles of our situation.
We sat there together, my temple against your shoulder. I felt heady, touched by your tenderness. As the blush rose to my cheeks,
I fell asleep,
and woke up.