Midnight Sonata

 

A December Writing Prompt from Greg at Bookhaven

I was there at midnight. 

The air was cool and the moonlight shone down through the trees. It was a beautiful night on campus. The Red Cedar river burbled below as I stood on the bridge looking down. The moon could be seen in the water, the reflection somewhat muddled by the current and the breeze skittering over the waves. It was quiet, the hush of the evening interrupted occasionally by the laughter of students or the distant murmur of cars. And yet I felt alone in the world, a solitary mote in the grand scheme. 

And it felt good. 

I was at peace as I waited. 

Would she come?

I looked down at the water, whispering below, as a couple strolled by, hand in hand, their voices soft and masked by the breeze. Were they in love? Were they new to all this, or old hands?Who knew? It was a beautiful thing though, two people together, just the two of them in all the world. 

I know the feeling. 

She probably won't come. 

She was working late, hadn't even read the text as far as I know. She might not know I'm here even. But that's okay. I like being here even if alone. The Cedar will be my companion if needed. The murmur of the river and the caress of the night breeze. It's enough for now. 

It was a long shot anyway. We met not long ago. Shy glances, a tentative smile. Standing in line together at Starbucks. Our hands brushing together. A nervous laugh. Sitting for hours and losing ourselves in conversation. 

Knowing I should go and not wanting to. Her saying the same.

The exhilaration of getting her text. The anxiety of texting back. The phone ringing when I gave her my number... 

It was starting to get cold. I don't think she's coming. I check my phone. It's 12:25. I should move on...

She'll be here. 

How do I know? 

I just do. 

I lean against the railing and close my eyes. All around me I can hear the night sounds, some kids having a snowball fight by the campus library. The sounds of people living. The early season snow painting everything white and gracing the river with a sheen of ice. This is one of my favorite places on campus. I'll miss it here when I'm gone. 

My phone dings and my pulse spikes. I check the message, then feel a wave of disappointment. Just a friend, but not... the message I hoped for. Has she seen the text? I could call her. Maybe. I know she's... busy. 

Where are you? my friend asks. I hesitate then reply. 

"I'm just out. I might meet Sara."

They're typing back. I wait. 

"Might meet Sara?"

"Yeah. She's working... we'll see..."

"Are you alright?"

I smile. 

I'm fine. Talk later."

Alone again. 

It's cold. 

12:45. 

Time to go. 

I sigh and make my way towards the end of the bridge. 

And there she is. 

She meets me and I can smell her perfume. 

We look at each other a moment and she takes my hand. She's beautiful in her scarf. 

"Going somewhere?" she asks.