Writing at speed is great fun as ‘one’ never knows what might happen or come out of your keyboard or pen. It is also freeing as you don’t have time to censor or edit your writing which often hampers the flow even before your story takes place. Writing begets writing. Here’s something that became a ‘Damascus’ moment for the protagonist.
Sam started it all which surprised me because I had never taken much notice of him before. We pretended to be drinking friends from way, way back, but that just meant he was a detail in a room I felt comfortable in. Then that Tuesday night i pushed past him to get at my free tapas and I felt this singed, smoky thing going on right there across my face. He looked the same I think, but when he stopped and spoke to the pretty girl rearranging the room, his vowels took off somewhere so far flung and exotic I almost pleaded to join him. As I watched, he let loose this deep, throaty growl and the poor girl blushed and nearly dropped her tray: besotted. Sam didn’t seem to notice so at least that was consistent I suppose. A few minutes later he came back over and hugged me goodbye: I tell you I nearly burned alive.
“God you’re warm” I said “you’re like a giant’s kiln”.
Sam smiled and told me he had changed a few things around. He hugged me again. Then he winked. God, I felt on the brink of bad poetry.
A few days later I met up with blonde Gill because that’s what we do every other Wednesday. Five minutes after my coffee, I leant over to kiss her as usual, and this gust of sweet smoke took me right in the eye, nearly blinding me. I grabbed at my chair and collapsed.
I could hardly see for a few seconds and when I could, Gill looked all radiant as if she’d just been visited by a couple of fiery angels.
“Sorry Paul” she said in this smoking old film star voice. “Have I not mentioned to you?”
“Mentioned what? I asked blinking back my tears.
“I’ve changed one or two things around. I’ve moved myself about a bit.”
“You have?” I said. I could hardly breathe because of this cherry nutty heat.
“I’m more alive Paul.” she paused.. “Everywhere, ” and then she grinned as if she knew something very special that had nothing to do with our every other Wednesday at one.
That left Cindy. My steady careful Cindy. I decided to treat her. She valued my mind. Respected my choices. No edge to Cindy.
“You look all out of ideas Paul. Spent. Have you a light? ”
“You don’t smoke” I said.
“Long time no see “she replied narrowing her eyes.
“It’s been a week Cindy.” I reached across to stroke her hand.
