I was sitting in the corner of the café writing in my notebook when he walked in. He stood at the door, looked around. Our eyes met then we both quickly looked away. He then went to the counter where it was self-serve coffee, ordered a croissant and sat down at a small table next to the wall on the other side of the room. Again, our eyes met briefly. I went back to my writing and he opened the book he was reading.
I had never seen him before and it is rare when anyone other than someone from the town comes in the café. He was probably in his fifties or early sixties. He had longish grey hair, a shaggy beard, jeans and a dark blue turtleneck sweater, but there was something intense about the way he looked around the room—something in his eyes. He definitely looked interesting. I was curious. Who was this man?
I was writing intently in my notebook, occasionally looking up and seeing him reading. A few times, he looked up and our eyes met. The café was empty except for the two of us and Jeff, the owner who was busy behind the counter. I was working on a story, but my mind kept drifting to the stranger, wondering what was it about him that fascinated me? Maybe I was just lonely, or horny, or just curious, I don't know but I wanted to meet him. I am somewhat shy and it is not my nature to just go up to a man and start a conversation.
After awhile, I put my pen down and got up to get a little more coffee and noticed he looked up at me. Again, our eyes met and he smiled. I was wearing tight jeans and a t-shirt and am in very good shape because of the physical work I do as a gardener for some of the rich people around here. I had taken off my baseball cap that I wear when I am in the sun and my blond hair was in a long pony tail that came down passed my shoulders. I was tan and knew I looked good.
"What are you writing?" he asked from his table. I turned surprised he was talking to me. I didn't want to tell him what I was writing—not that I am ashamed to be writing erotica but I didn't think it would make a good impression.
"Just stuff," I answered.
"Why don't you bring your coffee over here?" he asked. I'm not from around here and am curious about this town."
"Sure," I answered and sat down with my mug. "What are you reading?" I asked.
"The Birth of Tragedy," by Nietzsche, he answered, keeping the book opened.
"Listen to this he said and read, "Truth is whatever is life-affirming; false is whatever denies or impedes growth."
"Interesting," I said. "So you like to read philosophy."
"Yes and history," he answered. "But I like this idea that what ever is life-affirming is true and I would add, good." He paused. "You were writing so intently and passionately, I was curious about what you were writing."
"Yes, I always write intently and passionately," I answered, smiling and looking into his eyes.
"Is it a journal?" he asked. "I'm a writer too, so I was curious."
"No, it's not a journal. Are you always so nosey?" I asked, wanting to rev the conversation up a notch.
"No, not always," he said. He closed his book, took a sip of his coffee, looking at me over the edge of his cup.
"So you're a writer. What do you write?" I asked.
"Historical novels for young adults and poetry," he answered.
"Interesting," I responded, nodding. I liked the way he smiled at me and how he looked into my eyes when he spoke, like he was trying to know who I was.
"Why won't you tell me what you are writing? If it's not a journal, what is it?"
"Well, I guess I am afraid you will get the wrong idea if I tell you," I answered.
"Come on, tell me. I won't get a wrong idea. I am not a judgmental person," he added.
"Erotica," I answered, bluntly.
"Cool!" he answered and smiled. "That's great."
"I was afraid to tell you because I thought you might think I am frivolous," I said.
"Frivolous," he repeated and laughed, throwing his head back. "Why would I think erotica is frivolous?" He took a sip of his coffee and leaned forward, closer to me. "You don't look like a frivolous person," he added. "And I'd say good truthful erotica is life-affirming." He laughed.
"Really!" I responded, surprised. Suddenly, I felt myself relaxing and getting really turned on by the way he said that and how he looked at me. I was silent. I took a sip of my coffee, looking at him. I didn't know what to say. It had been so long that I had even had a conversation with a man, let alone a man like him.
"By the way, my name is Tristan, what's yours?" he asked. He smiled, looking into my eyes.
"Sharon," I answered. "Glad to meet you," I added, extending my hand to shake his. When he took my hand, his grip was firm, yet gentle. I was feeling fascinated and excited and wanted to get to know him better.
"So what brings you to our fair town?" I asked.
"Good question," he answered. "I don't really know where I am. I just took off yesterday and started driving. I just needed to get away from my routine. I was in a rut—so I hopped in my car and just started driving—completely impulsively and spontaneously."
"Wow!" I responded. "That's kind of how I ended up in this town about fifteen years ago and been here since," I said.
He nodded, looking intently into my eyes.
"I was a screenwriter in LA and was getting pretty successful, but I got pregnant and had a daughter but knew this guy was not the father type and I knew I didn't want to raise my daughter in tinsel town, so I got up and left. First I went back to my parents and couldn't take that and then went searching for the right place. One day, I drove through this town and liked it. I followed my intuition and bought some land from savings and an inheritance from an aunt." I paused. "That's it in a nutshell."
He nodded and smiled, looking into my eyes. We were both silent.
"Oh and I built my cabin myself," I told him.
"You did," he said, surprised. His look revealed how impressed he was.
"Yeah, I found salvaged doors and windows and read building books and in two years we moved in—though it wasn't really finished. Keira and I lived in a small trailer while I was building and I home schooled her, now she's finished college and working as a journalist in DC."
"Impressive," he said.
"It's pretty small and funky but comfortable," I said. "After LA and seeing how my parents and their friends lived, I wanted out of the whole shebang—the malls, the shopping, the whole materialistic way of life. I wanted something different for my daughter."
"Sounds like we have some things in common," he said. "I live in a cabin off the grid about three hours from here."
"Really, off the grid?" I asked, even more interested.
"Yes, I haven't had an electric bill in eight years," he added.
After an awkward silence, I took a deep breath and decided to be bold. I glanced over at my notebook at the corner table and turned back to him. I took a deep breath.
"Would you like to hear some of my erotica?" I asked, not believing I had the nerve to ask him.
"Here?" he asked, looking surprised at my question.
"No, silly, back at my cabin," I said. "I live five minutes from here, unless you are in a hurry to get somewhere. I would like to read some to you to see what you think."
"That's brave of you, inviting a perfect stranger back to your place to read erotica," he said, looking into my eyes.
"Maybe," I said. "But I can take care of myself," I added, taking a sip of coffee, my eyes looking at him over the edge of my mug.
He was right. What was I thinking? But I always follow my intuition and it felt right. It also felt exciting. I think I saw the opportunity to live on the edge for a change. Not play it safe. It's not everyday that an interesting good looking stranger comes into your life. I needed something exciting. Something to shake me up and there was something about this stranger that made me want to know him. I was feeling things I hadn't felt in a long time. I was attracted to him and I just had to follow my instinct—even if it was dangerous.
We finished our coffee and took our cups to the counter. I could feel his eyes on me as he followed my out the door. I knew my ass looked good in the tight jeans and I wasn't wearing a bra. I turned around to look at him and I could tell he liked what he was seeing. The way he looked made me feel sexy. My truck was out front with all my gardening rakes and shovels in the back. He drove a grey Subaru that was parked right behind me.
"Follow me," I said, climbing into my truck.
"Lead on, Sharon," he smiled. "I won't let you out of my sight."
I kept my eye on him in the rearview mirror, but he was right behind me. He followed me up the long dirt road that leads to my cabin. We got out and walked up the overgrown path. Samson, my golden retriever came up for a sniff and some petting. We then walked past the fenced in barnyard and small barn where my horse, Gypsy stays with my two goats and six chickens. Gypsy came over to the fence to get her nose petted, the rooster lifted his head and crowed and one of the goats looked up and went back to nibbling some hay.
"This is my family now that my daughter isn't here," I said.
"You're full of surprises, aren't you," he said, looking at my animals.
"I don't know about that," I answered. "But maybe I am," I added, smiling and giving him a little wicked grin. "You'll find out."
In back of my cabin is a pretty good sized garden and a fenced in pasture for Gypsy.
When we entered my cabin, he saw how small and funky it was—just one room with a kitchen area, a small bathroom and a loft where I sleep. I had lots of plants and bird feeders hanging outside on the window. A wood stove and some old, really comfy chairs and a couch. My laptop was on the table by the window, afternoon sunlight pouring in.
"Small and cozy," he said, looking around. "I like it, though. It's amazing that you built this all by yourself."
"Well, I had help with some of it—the plumbing and electric had to have a licensed person, but I watched and did a lot of it," I said, proudly.
"How about something to drink," I asked. "I have some beer, tea, water." I opened the cabinet under the cabinet and bent down, "And some Jack Daniels." I laughed. "I don't usually drink the hard stuff but every once in awhile I take a little nip."
"How about a beer," he said. "No glass. The bottle is fine."
"Cool, I'll have a beer too," I said. I went to the refrigerator, got the beer and opened it. I handed one to him and we clicked bottles. "To life affirming truth," he said, looking into my eyes.
I laughed at his reference to the quote he had read earlier. "I'll drink to that," I said. We both took a big drink and both let out a loud "Ahhhhhhh!" We smiled at our common response to the cold beer, our eyes fixed on each other.
"So, do you want to hear one of my stories?" I asked, though I was definitely nervous, not sure what he would think or what would happen.