She was the younger sister of a friend of mine, the two of them spent the night.
I did not know her - never met her before, and we barely spoke beyond the necessary pleasantries. A shy, meek girl.
My friend had to leave at 3am to catch his flight and I agreed I would run her home later.
The following morning -
Enjoying my coffee, checking headlines . . .
She quietly comes out of the spare bedroom, across the living room from me - stops and faces me - "may I please take a shower?"
They way she said it . . . .
Her ever so soft, barely audible voice.
I set my glasses down and paused - I think time actually paused too, in that moment.
Her light blue eyes peeking out under her thin, blonde bangs, just swept me in.
To this day I cannot explain, not really.
Her naturally submissive nature triggered something in me . . .
"Come here" I said, quietly
She did
"Turn around"
She did
"You have 15 minutes, and I want you to return to this spot - just a towel"
I said, in a calm voice -
The incredible awkwardness . . . . A few seconds seemed like weeks . . . She was silent. . . .standing there . . .
Then without a word she stepped away - into the bathroom.
I hadnt realized I was holding my breath.
My hand trembled as I picked up my coffee - "what did I just do??" "I dont even know this girl!"
I heard the shower start . . .
"Shit! Shit - i'll tell her I was just messing with her" my mind raced. There was a tickle, a twitch . . . "No, I'll just say I was kidding . . . "
Funny how quickly things like coffee and headlines become irrelevant.
The shower went off . . .
I heard the bathroom door open - I stopped breathing . . . Froze mid sip . . .
Time stood still once again . . .
She crossed the room like a dream - and stood before me - wrapped in a towel.
She did not look at me, did not speak - just stood there. . . . . .
"Turn around" I said lightly, after clearing the voice caught in my throat.
She did . . . .
My breathing returned, a shallow pant.
The twitch now fully awake . . .
"Give me the towel " . . . . .
She did . . . . .