The Unforgettable Stranger

A chance meeting with a stunning woman.

   

Have you ever passed a woman on the street who was so stunningly beautiful you wanted to politely stop them and tell them...no secret hidden agenda...no subtle hustle, just letting them know their beauty was noticed? She was like seeing a breathtaking painting in an art gallery...I didn't need to own or possess her. I was just taken by her beauty. I found it difficult not to stare. 

She chose a seat on the bus where no-one could sit between us.

 

I smiled and said hi, and in the friendliest tone she returned the hello. I married a beautiful woman, so I seldom found myself intimidated around nice looking women, but this strange attractive woman actually caused me to be a little nervous. After our brief exchange, I thought that would be the end of the stranger says hello to stranger encounter,and began reading the newspaper I had just bought.

 

"Do you read, a lot?" She asked,with a smile.

 

  "Only if its news about the end of the world," I said with a grin. She laughed. Even her laughter was magnetic; with it's lightness and sincerity. There was a slight pause, and then she spoke.

 

"Did you know there's bacteria on the lime they squeeze into your drink? I love living life on the edge."

 

 

She intentionally made the remark in an overly serious tone,one that really struck me funny. It was as if we were old friends. I couldn't believe the ease with which we were talking. We both laughed at the same things.I was surprised at how relaxed we had both become in such a short amount of time. I was happily married,but I loved the way my heart felt, talking with this amazingly beautiful young woman.

 

Finally,I asked her "Are you a model?"

After I asked the question,I wanted to take it back. 

She looked at me with her entrancing eyes, then, in an obvious, and playful way she replied. 

 

 "That's so ironic,I was about to ask you the same thing." She said with a sly grin. It was perfect timing, and we caught ourselves laughing, again. Then she said something that truly surprised me.

 

"Would you think me too forward if I asked you to share a cup of coffee with me? I know this nice outside cafe a few blocks from here, and I have a little time before I leave for the airport. I thought you were so friendly, and we hit it off...I wondered...if.."

 

Without thinking of anything else, I blurted out

 "I'd love, too." I wasn't trying to pick her up,but she was fascinating, and I wanted to know more about her. I wanted to hear her laugh more, talk more, feel this odd feeling just a little longer.

 

We sat outside on this beautiful morning, and talked almost non-stop. There were no awkward moments. I didn't feel as if she had a hidden agenda. It was two people, two total strangers who, for whatever reason, hit it off, and they seized the moment.

It was unforgettable, and I think she felt the same way. The time flew by. We had talked about a little of everything, then she looked at her watch.

 

"It's time, I can't believe we had so much fun, and were so relaxed doing it."

 

 "And, you didn't try once to hit on me," she laughed out loud, as she slid her chair back.

 "And finally, I didn't have to fend a woman off for a simple conversation." I said, smiling. There life had put us, for a second, I felt a twinge of sadness. I realized how rare such encounters were. I looked at her once more, as she prepared to leave. My God,she was striking,I thought to myself.

 

"Well,I guess I won't ever see you,again,but I just want to tell you what a pleasure it's been meeting you. You take care,and never,ever change that magnetic personality." I said, as she moved toward me.

 

Without warning, she laid her purse back on the table, wrapped her arms around me and gave me the sweetest, most heartfelt hug. She then tenderly kissed my cheek. I was caught off guard.

 

 

 

She picked up her purse...looked me in the eyes... then leaned in close to my ear, and whispered,

 "Good-bye, Dad, you were everything I've dreamed you would be." With that she walked to the street, and immediately a cab stopped. As she pulled away...she smiled, but it looked like she had a tear running down her cheek.

 

I stood there motionless, as my mind raced through summers past...

 

Reviews

[jenbem]

your stories make my heart hurt! in a good way.
this is very well written. I love these new prose/flash fiction pieces you've been writing, they suite you well.
I also love how I can't quite tell if any of your pieces are biographical or not, it takes a person who has many and deep life experiences to blur the lines between pure fiction and reality. It's why Hunter S. Thompson was so extraordinary (although he is on the opposite end of the spectrum from you!).
luck and best wishes,
jenbem

[emmajoy]

The story flowed and flowed, smoothly and believably, the man and the woman were honest, affable, close but in a good way ...

then POW! Pow and wow ...came the ending and, such an incredibly unexpected finish.

I feel quite shell-shocked after that... need to read it again.. Those few last words have got to me.. I wonder what they hide? 'I stood there motionless, as my mind raced through summers past...'

A great post for which I thank you, very much.

[Donald Meikle]

Whoa Nelly. That was a shocker. Here I was enjoying the whole damn thing with you then got sucker punched.

[MY]

You have just described the essense of what I Have told people for years. We are not static people, and even we are in a commitment this does not mean we cant be overwhelmed from time to time. I love the vibes in which you write, you leave me to my thoughts without emptiness, thats pretty much fantastic ;) very well written!

[Debra Stevens Edwards (..]

Rain as always I was blown away by your words. They are powerful words that give us something to think about. Well done.
Debby

[Anna]

This is fantastic...everything a good story/poem needs even the twist at the end! delightful t read!
I enjoyed it very much and can see why it is on the list of most read!

[DarkAngelWriter]

I reviewed this one! Yay! :D

[[untitled]]

You have something for every contest I create. Where are you getting all of this? Do you have like oompa loompas typing up stories in your basement? And every one of them is good. This is a great story. THe ending was wonderful.

[Angel Bird]

Rain you are one of the most amazing storyteller I know.

This story grabs the readers attention practically from the start and keeps it til the end to bewilder us and keep us thinking!

Incredible write - Wow!
I love it!

[Susan S.]

You totally caught me off guard with that ending. That was smooth!

You did have some grammar problems, but nothing too bad. I'll make note.

Susan S.

[pal]

a great twist at the end.. that was wonderful way,.,. deflating all that is being built up.. slowly..

bravo
pal