Roseblood by Emily Beth Shore

Author:Emily Beth Shore
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780786753062
Publisher: Argo-Navis

*****

During the movie, Brian fell asleep as I predicted he would. Heath dodged out after the movie but said he’d return later. Careful not to wake Brian, Raoul and I slipped through the sliding glass doors and disappeared onto the pool terrace. In the fog of the pool water, the stars flickered like several undulating galaxies. The candles, from earlier, still kindled at the ends, casting a sweet fragrance to the air. Smoke curled in the air: bodiless ghosts. I couldn’t let go of Raoul’s fingers, and not too soon after, we found our hands swinging back and forth, moving in sync as they always had.

“Tell me something about yourself that I don’t know,” I compelled him and gave his hand a squeeze for extra measure.

He turned and looked down at our hands where his thumb traced a path across my knuckles. “What do you want to know?”

I twisted toward him and shrugged. “Anything.”

“Well,” he sighed and traced a few fingers through his hair. “I like to clean, cook, sing… I write a little poetry.”

“I know all that. Your house is always clean. So is your backyard,” I added under my breath and surveyed the trees which bloomed with cherry blossoms. To the left were an herb garden and a vegetable garden. A proud flower garden exhibited its face near the pool. “You like gardening.” Raoul took great pride in all his work. He was dedicated, loyal, industrious…much more than me. One thing he could never be accused of was laziness. Raoul had far too much time for that.

“I do,” he declared motioning to the garden. “I’ve always enjoyed watching things grow. Do you think I’m weird?”

“Weird?” I turned to him. “No, you’re just different but in a good way. I’m surprised you don’t have a girlfriend already.”

Raoul didn’t comment on my statement but continued with his descriptions. “I’m very organized.”

“Good, cause I’m not.”

“I know. I’ve seen your room. I like old TV shows and romance films.”

I grinned again. “I know that too.”

“You know how most guys can’t stand clingy girls?” I nodded, and he continued, “Well I’m just the opposite. I can be just as clingy as any girl. I’ve been with others in the past, always prepared to commit to forever, but every time I was with someone, they felt stifled and gave up on me. I’m very selfish when it comes to relationships.”

I bit my lip. “Meaning you’re very good at giving attention…to someone who might want it?”

Raoul didn’t answer my question but reached into his pocket and withdrew a small silver and brass object, which glimmered in the darkness. “I’m pretty good at playing the harmonica.”

Interested, I tilted my head and urged, “Show me.”

Raoul raised the instrument to his lips. I closed my eyes and just listened while he kept his eyes on me, observed as I swung my body from side to side. As the rhythm of the harmonica quickened and the notes heightened, my clasped hands started to sway, but I still didn’t move. Suddenly, abruptly the song ended, and I stopped confused.

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