He stood in the shadows watching her through the window as she ordered from the waiter.
He watched her lips form the word martini.
The waiter went away.
She fiddled with her napkin.
Her eyes scanned the empty restaurant before coming to rest on him.
He knew she could not see him, was in fact looking at herself in the glass, but the effect was disconcerting.
He watched the barman making her drink, watched him glance up in appreciation from time to time.
She was still so beautiful.
He felt the now-familiar desolation, fingered the plane ticket in his pocket.
I loved the disconcerting illusion that she seemed to be looking at him when, in fact, she was looking at her own reflection
thanks;
When she couldn’t see him I thought maybe he was a ghost, but the plane ticket threw me off – I feel so much story behind this one!
thanks!
Liked the illusion of the reflection in the glass and the open ending with the plane ticket. Many options for the back story that led them both to this place. Nice one.
Thanks, Iain!
Can’t decide if it is romantic or creepy. It is beautifully described so well done.
You create a great atmosphere of longing and loss… reads very film noir, too.
Dear Josh,
I, too thought he was a ghost until he fingered the airline ticket. I love the atmosphere you masterfully set up. A bit Bogart and a bit Bella. ;)
Shalom,
Rochelle
Hauntingly described scene, redolent with longing, regret, loss. Well done.
Beautiful, Josh. The plane ticket suggests he’s leaving her, but she’s in the restaurant waiting for someone who hasn’t turned up. I wonder what is taking him away from her? I love your mirror play!
thanks Penny!
Nice! Great imagery and mood, and the ending triggers so many thoughts.
I enjoyed this, Josh. You’ve left us with so many questions but the possibility to fill in the blanks as we see fit.
This was so beautifully written, Josh. I too thought he was a ghost until I read about the ticket. I really liked the ending. It sounds promising.
I thought he was going to give it one more shot!
You’ve done a great job of leaving us wondering about the back story. I hope he remains firm in his resolve to remove himself from whatever attraction the woman still holds for him.
Great twist at the end, he is not a ghost but what he is remains to be answered by the reader’s imagination.