“Do you believe in fairytales?” she asks. Quizzical I reply stuttering “I’m not sure.” She smiles and after a sip of wine says “I used to; glass slipper, awakening kiss, happy ever after…” She pauses “Pretty things aren’t they?” It slips out vaguely. “What is?” I ask enchanted and confused. She giggles; infectious and bubbly. “Fairytales.” She whispers mischievously. Stuttering once more I reply “I… I… I suppose so.” This time a real laugh; deep and throaty. After the laugh she teases pitiless “Poor soul I’m confusing you terribly.” The smile that follows hits me hard. Trying my luck I ask “Could I buy you a drink?” She seems disappointed but her answer is the one I want. “Sure.” She says with a strained smile.

 

The night just improves from there. She is beautiful and the drinks keep flowing. The more intoxicated we become the more I fall. Her laugh, the way her hair catches the light or the way the light reflects it. I know I have to have her and will not be happy until I possess her. “Look at you.” I whisper in her ear. “What is it exactly that you see?” She asks slyly. Equally smooth I reply “A fire works display.” She laughs a dry cynical laugh and says “Funny thing about those…” “Really?” I enquire. Looking beyond me she replies “Yes, they die out.” Ignoring her reply I let my hand linger on her bare thigh and breathe into her hair “Let’s go to my place.” She looks at me, then through me “Very well.” Is her only reply

 

As soon as we reach home everything becomes a blur and mesh and tangle of sweat and body and ecstasy. I lose myself in her…

 

Sunlight hits my lids. I wake to find her perched on the end of the bed, fully clothed, keys in hand. “What are you doing?” I ask. “Waiting.” She replies. “For what?” Is my agitated response. She stands and walks to the door and opens it, just before she walks through it and out of my life forever she turns. A tear lingers on her cheek. “A fairytale” she says.