Rendezvous

The stench of cigarette smoke lingered in the air as Jade slid further back into the tattered armchair. She checked her phone once again, growing impatient as time seemed to move ever so slowly. It read 12:16 a.m. Jonathan's plane had landed a few minutes ago. Gazing down into the nearly empty glass, she swirled the amber liquid into a whirlpool, trying to imagine him quietly entering into their dark apartment. He'd lay his suitcase beside the doorway and then flick on the lamp resting on the entryway table, scanning over the room. Everything would be intact to the unsuspecting eye, sitting in the exact spot it was before he'd left for Minneapolis. Not wanting to disturb her, he'd quietly tiptoe to his office to catch up on any work he'd missed, assuming that she was soundly sleeping behind their closed bedroom door. Jade smirked to herself at the very thought. What she wouldn't give to see the look on his fa

The couple wandered the streets of Philadelphia, migrating towards a touristy strip of the downtown area. Jade thought her guide seemed to be oddly familiar with the inner-city as they moved about. He'd instantly pointed his toes in the direction they needed to travel, knowing every-which-way to turn. Just when she couldn't imagine having to take another aching step, they reached the warm foyer of a Holiday Inn. Her teeth relentlessly chattered as she greeted the receptionist and paid for a room for the night.Mr. Tie pushed the elevator button causing it to illuminate. In an instant, the hum from the motor echoed from behind the wall, and Jade stared up at him with a bleak smile on her face. Inside she felt disappointed, knowing it was time to thank him and say goodnight. She hesitated, wondering if she should give him her number. Would he even call her? She doubted it. Th

Jade gave a shy smile. She couldn't deny the connection she felt as he gazed down at her. She sensed an inviting pull between them. His hand softly cupped her face and pulled her chin closer. He kissed her.Her heart and thoughts raced as the intensity between them grew, him no longer holding back. His mouth and hands wandered, causing a tingle to erupt over her skin; warmth and desire for him were felt in distant places. Jade forced back her subconscious. She was definitely sobering up, coming to terms with the reality of their situation. Her insecurities were now at the forefront of her thoughts. She took in a deep breath, trying to find a way to overcome her fears. It didn't matter how many men told her she was beautiful; she never felt it. Having sex meant that she couldn't hide behind her clothing. He would witness every imperfection. What if he took one look at her body and changed his mind?She closed her eyes, recalling her past relationships. There weren't

Jade wished she hadn't already paid for another night at the hotel but didn't bother mentioning it. She would be more comfortable hanging amongst her friend, anyway. As it grew dark out, they cracked open a second bottle, and Jade divulged what happened after she got off the phone. She spared no detail; every moment of it was too good not to share."You're shittin' me?" Marissa gasped, covering her mouth. The twang of a Georgian accent had slipped through with the wine. She hadn't lived there since she was a child, but it still emerged when she drank. You'd never know otherwise.Jade laughed, "It's not like Jonathon and I never... had sex ... obviously, but last night was just so much better. I can't even explain it. It wasn't so..""Vanilla," Marissa finished her sentence.

"Aren't these my pants?" Jade shouted as she walked through the living room, scanning the house for Marissa."They sure are. That's your shirt too," her voice replied from the kitchen. Jade hadn't even recognized the shirt. She wiggled her toes through the fuzzy socks Marissa had given her as she waltzed into the room."How old are these? I can't believe they still fit," Jade gleamed proudly."You left them here when I first moved in, so I don't know. Like a year, maybe?" Marissa shrugged."Oh," She replied, disappointed.Marissa slid a stack of pancakes covered in syrup and slices of banana in front of Jade before asking what her plans were for the day."I have like, the longest list of things I need to do. I have to change the password to every account I have, find a place to live, find a new job—""A new job?" She interrupted."Well yeah, it would only make sense to find a different job. I only s