Seduction

The scent of coffee dances through the cracked window. She hardly notices it, though, as she sits in front of the television, making messy love to a chocolate bar. The scent finally seduces her, tickling her nostrils until she bows to its commands. Smiling, she lifts herself from the couch that she’d bought herself, and floats into her bedroom.

Like the scent told her, she’d treat herself nice tonight, just her and joe. She flags through her hangers, wondering what he’d fancy to see her in. Her favorite black dress, the silk one with the feminine ruffles along the sleeveless seams, falls from its hanger as if by fate. She catches it before it hits the carpet. She laces it on in a hurry, untucking her raven locks from its leeching grasp. She slips on her shoes, wondering if the outfit is “too much.” Of course it is, just for joe, but who cares?

She turns off the television as she exits her flat. She locks her door behind her. On the street, the scent is stronger, lulling her along on a satin leash. Where would she meet joe tonight? She picks a hotel downtown. She strides in, in love with herself, in love with love. The lift takes her to the roof terrace bar, where a gentleman greets her and offers her a table. She smiles again. At her table, she asks for joe and he comes immediately. As he slides down the twists of her throat, she looks out at the skyline, its size, its people, its dreams.

Tears form in her eyes, licking her lashes and threatening to plummet onto her face. Joe is gone, the scent is gone. She is alone again. She orders a glass of chardonnay and lights a clove, biting her lip as she gawks out at the sky in its shimmering velvet. She can’t fall in love with the wine. It hasn’t seduced her like joe. But even he isn’t real.