By Francine Senderovich
He stayed up all night thinking of the right words to say. It needed to be said, but in a way that wouldn’t sting. He didn’t want the words to hurt her. And he didn’t want to feel like shit after he said them.
Their first date was pretty wonderful as far as first dates go. He told her it was wonderful. He wasn’t lying. It felt good. She felt good. But on the second date, he started to wonder. And when it was time to make his move for date three, he dragged his feet. At first, he figured it was timing. He was in transition—a man in between—jobs, homes, and cities. Not the best place to start a new thing. But he realized it was something else—something was missing.
He told her he wanted to meet up. It was early June, but felt like deep August. The forecast predicted intermittent and heavy downpours. On the phone, she told him she’d be all muggy. She suggested meeting the day after, but he wanted to do this now. Say what needs to be said. He told her he’d be sweaty, too, and that everybody would be. Later, he realized she was telling him something else—that she’d rather do this when she was primped, fresh, and perfumed. But he wasn’t good at reading between the lines like her. Sometimes, he thought she was too smart for him.
On the train to meet her, he remembered how much he missed this landscape. It didn’t matter that everything was soaked in gray. He had been out of the country for more than a year and had forgotten the way the buildings hug the tracks as the train winds around certain corners. He always counted on the grating of metal against metal to dull the pain. But it was more soothing than he remembered. Paris was his number one. That’s what he said when people asked him. But his city felt good now. Damp. Clean. New. He thought about why he had left this place—why he always left. Then he started thinking about her. Intense, crazy thoughts jumped around in his head—but he quickly pushed them out. He ran through his lines again. He needed to tell her how he’d been feeling. He trusted his heart to say the words gently. He would tell her he liked her a lot—a lot—but that he didn’t think there was romance between them. He didn’t see Paris in her eyes. He didn’t feel the tug.
He arrived at the tea shop early. His strategy was to grab a cool drink, sit down, and compose himself. But his plans got shot to hell. He spotted her at a small table with her back to him. At first, he didn’t recognize her. One of the things that had caught his eye when they first met was her mop of wild black hair. But now it was pinned up in a messy knot of curls. Her fingers kept tugging at some wild strands, trying to wind them back into the little swirl. He paused for a moment and watched. She finally gave up and went back to writing—crossing out words and replacing them with others. She was good at revision, at making things better. He liked that about her.
He headed to the table, brushing off the wet from his clothes. As he got closer, he noticed a few loose strands on her neck. They were still damp. She glanced up and smiled.
“It’s good to see you,” she said.
“Good to see you.”
He kissed her on the cheek. Her skin was moist and fragrant. He remembered the bouquet of flowers he offered on their second date. Lilacs were her favorite, but he gave her irises. He told her lilacs were out of season. She said irises were her new favorite. He asked what she was drinking. It looked cool and refreshing. He noticed the stain of lipstick on the straw. He hadn’t seen her lips naked before. She told him it was a mojito iced tea and that he’d probably like it. They had known each other only a few months, but she seemed to always know what he liked. She seemed to know him. He wasn’t sure about this, but he ordered one for himself. As he walked back from the counter, he thought how pretty she looked today. She looked good un-primped. He couldn’t stop staring at her mouth.
He started to tell her what he came there to tell her, but she started asking questions. She wanted to know how he’d been, what he’d been doing, the kinds of queries that come from someone who cares. Someone who waits for the answers. They talked about all kinds of stuff. Baseball. North Side vs. South Side. He told her about his high school buddy who died. He listened to her stories about her parrot. They laughed. She laughed so hard she snorted. He forgot his mantra: I’m not a pet person. She read part of her essay to him. He watched her mouth and the way it pouted around certain words. He wanted her to say “joie de vivre” one more time.
Hours passed. It rained again, and then cleared up again. The scent of mint floated around them, in between them. He told her what happened overseas. When she rested her hand on his, he let her.
“What?” She looked at him. He was staring at her.
He took a long, slow sip of his mojito tea.
“Your hair’s different,” he said.
Easy, enjoyable reading
I love this. Could it even be the beginning of more? That hint of what happened overseas? And clearly, seeing her “unprimped” has derailed his decision about ending the relationship.
Thank you! It’s great when a reader “gets” what you were hoping for. I like the idea of it being a possible “beginning of more.”
I think this story unfolded with elegance, and I love the ending. At first I wasn’t sure if I’d like the protagonist, but the details shared about his reflections as he rode to his meet up and as he observed the woman he’d been feeling ambivalent about swept me into his world.
Thank you for this thoughtful response! I’m glad the ending resonated.
This tugged at my heart. Capturing a day that I could feel. Don’t ever stop wearing lipstick.
Thank you! I’m so glad the piece created an emotional connection. Are you sure about the lipstick?
Awww… Very cool story. Engaging. Great details. I love yr writing.
Thank you! I appreciate your comments.
Five stars. Wonderful story. The writing flows so beautifully. Absolutely a terrific author!
Thank you!
What a full and beautiful portrait! Every move is rich, from his rising ambivalence to the gentle tucking of her curls. I could feel it. Wondering about them an hour later.
Thank you, Julie! I love that you were “wondering about them an hour later.”
Thank you.
i really loved it
Thank you!
I second the “emotion” of all the other comments and raise you one by saying it resonates like you do !!
Thank you, Gerald!
Congratulations, Francine. This story is SO you — subtle, indirect, done with a beautifully light touch.
Thanks, Amy. Much appreciated.
Lovely, easy read. I could feel his hesitation, his uncertainty. I can’t help wondering “What happened next?”
Thank you! I’m glad you wondered about what’s next. I’m wondering, too!
So light and delicate, no wasted words. All is nuanced, like light brush strokes. The reader must ponder, or invent, the outcome. Congratulations!
Thanks for the lovely comments, Rich!
This is such a beautiful story with such strong imagery. The pain is palpable but interwoven in the beauty of the discovery of relationship. What a wonderful image you have painted with your words.
Thanks so much, Amy!
Achieves what a great piece of flash fiction must — it brings a moment/scene fully to light and to life, in vivid detail — and then, at the end, surprises the reader with a bonus: a little something-more.
Thanks, Paul! I appreciate your kind words.
why is this called Beirut?
The main character just returned from Beirut.
Beautiful, elegant writing. So wonderful to read. Loved your descriptive words. Mazel Tov on a great story!!!
Thanks, Marcia! Glad the story resonated for you!
Frannie, I do enjoy your writing style. It is so existential & in the moment. The way you detail the man’s thoughts — what he’s thinking, observing, & taking in — is beautifully done. I definitely want more.
Lovely Francine! The ending in particular. His doubts and fears and then submission to his feelings. I enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing!
I love it! It pulls you in and casts its spell quite quickly. And the train ride… Says a lot. I love it. 🙂
Thank you, Frank S.!
“He didn’t see Paris in her eyes.” It’s all there. Love your details. Thank you for being you and for sharing your gifts. Carry on!
A great proposal that opens the imagination and, at the same time, subtly shows the way. Thank you, Francine
Thank you, Leonor, for reading the story, and for your response!