JUST ONE NIGHT.
Passion for guns, - something, she could never understand. Killing machines, beautiful, precise, deadly. And now – he is dead too, their master. Who loved them, oiled them, and wrapped them in a clean cloth. He - is - gone.
She was holding in her hands “Beretta”, slick, noble gun, made in Italy. 15 rounds.
- You know, how to use it, right? – He asked.
- I, probably, forgot by now.
- Put those on. – He said. – I picked up the good once for you, by “Dillon”, HP1 Electronic Hearing protector.
Yes, those definitely helped!
Gun was heavy, she was trying concentrate on Target, but her hands were shaking and first round of bullets barely touched the piece of paper with black silhouette of man on it.
- That’s okay, really.. – He said. – I would suggest to hold your breath, before you pull the trigger.
Second time around things went better. She did not feel right about shooting in “man – target”. He had another’s, just simple round one, and she felt a lot more comfortable shooting in those. Did much better. Even was able to hit the middle circle, once or twice.
Winter wind was brutal, and there was not many walls at that shooting range, to protect them. Tears were rolling from her eyes, nose become read, but she did not want to leave.
- Just let it go. – He said quietly. – Just let it all go, shoot, don’t think of anything. You will feel much better, you will see.
She nodded, she knew, he was right. So much heavy stuff she had in her heart, and she wanted to get rid of it, wanted to be free of that dark load.. Of pain, bad memories, past…
They drove to nowhere in his old truck, along the empty beaches with white sands, frozen forest, flocks of ravens, fighting over roadkill. They barely talk, but that did not felt awkward, it felt about right. Each of them was thinking about something own. She, actually, felt almost numb. She, actually was feeling pretty good by then, and told him about it. He smiled.
- Your eye are so blue right now, like this winter sky. Are you still cold?
- No, I am better. Really.
Words were not needed, somehow, they understood each other pretty well without them.
She is a women, and could sense, that he likes her. And later he told this himself. Simply, quietly, and it all was normal, felt normal. She was flattered.
She admired this man for a long time. Tall, strong, kind. He was always very attentive, always asked, how her life was going. Not nosy, just concerned. She never complained, but he could guess, that it was tough. His silent sincerity made her feel better, she was grateful, and he knew it.
- Would you like to share dinner with me? I can bake delicious salmon for you. – He said.
- I would like that very much. – Answered women.
He picked her up at 6. It was pretty dark by then and sky was full of flickering stars, and they were so close!
- I can reach them with my hand! - She said, - if I stand on my tiptoes!
- Try. – He encouraged her, smiling silently.
In the warmth of the house she become livelier. Like a bird, who had a shock after freezing rain, and then, when brought inside, start fixing her little feathers and look around.
- I know this band, that’s “Abba!” I grew up with their music!
…You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life
See that girl, watch that scene, diggin' the Dancing Queen
Friday night and the lights are low
Looking out for the place to go
Where they play the right music, getting in the swing
You come in to look for a king
Anybody could be that guy
Night is young and the music's high…
She felt, like she was seventeen again, felt, that she is the Dancing Quinn herself.. He made her feel, like a Quinn…
And they danced in the dark. Slowly, slowly, and that was majestic… He bend over and gazed into her eyes, he hardly could see them, but her body told him, that it would be okay to kiss. And he did. Briefly, hardly touching her lips. But even in such a short moment, she understood, what he was trying to say. Big strong man was telling her about his love. Without words. She could hear his heart bit, as if it was trying to escape from his chest. He was holding her gently, oh so gently, as if she was some exotic butterfly that came from the far far away. And that was true. She came from the country of mighty snow, tall forests, and strong winds. Severe Nature made her resilient, waves of life were not always kind to her, but that how she learn to swim through the storm of life. That how she learn – not to lose the color of her frail wings in the turmoil, or burden of daily routine. And she shined that night. Shined for him, for this kind, strong big man, whose heart was full of love for her.
And then it was” Eagles” “Hotel California”, her favorite.
…On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair
Warm smell of colitas, rising up through the air
Up ahead in the distance, I saw a shimmering light
My head grew heavy and my sight grew dim
I had to stop for the night
There she stood in the doorway
I heard the mission bell
And I was thinking to myself
'This could be heaven or this could be Hell…
There is always choice, to make it Heaven, or to make it Hell. It’s up to us to make that choice… There are always someone standing and waiting for us in that “doorway”… Always, if we choose to look deeper. And she did look.
Deeper.