She slipped silently from her room letting the apartment door shut behind her with a small click. She waited. Just the creaking sounds of the old pipes and the whirr of the deaf neighbor's infomercials could be heard. She crept towards his apartment down the hall, holding her favorite black fringe shoes in her hand. She didn't want any of the nosy tenants to know she was awake. They liked to gossip. The wood was slippery against the soles of her feet, her blood was alive with adrenaline. She reached his battered door a little nervous, and feeling foolish about her brashness. She rested her palm against the heavy door and closed her eyes, pondering if she should turn back. The door opened noiselessly, startling her. Blood flushed through her face and her heart fluttered. He knew she was coming, the door was already open.
She crept into the small apartment, stopping briefly to refit M's favorite shoes on her feet. Fever was playing from somewhere inside the apartment, muffled and quiet. The window facing the roof was thrown open and she click-clacked towards it letting her feet announce her arrival. She peaked her head out onto the small flat top roof. He had the best location in the building. Top floor with a small roof deck overlooking the streets below. A bum was stumbling drunkenly, muttering to himself while the busy Chicago nightlife buzzed in the distance. The honk of angry cabbies, the cat calls of cocky Italians, the dull roar of engines as they sped up and slowed down-- dancing to the rhythm of the streetlights.
He was waiting for her, lounging on the old leather couch he had put on the roof. His thinking place. She watched him, his eyes closed. She could feel the rhymes churning in his head, the fast pace of his wit rolling out in his mind. She slid herself down next to him, tugging at her short dress and crossed her legs, left over right. She snuggled in close to him, letting him put his arm around her. She felt safe. She grinned at him, catching his eyes with hers. He smiled. Oh how she loved when he smiled at her. She saw his heart in those moments. His good nature, worn proudly on his face. She was nervous, he did this to her every time. Butterflies. No, stronger than that. He made her swirl with vertigo. He was about to say something, but she didn't come here to talk. She didn't want to loose her nerve so she kissed him. Softly at first, tentative. Feeling the shape of his lips in hers. She pulled away a little, worried she had come on a little unexpectedly, but he just looked at her with that look. He always seemed to be one step ahead of her. He anticipated her in the most profound ways, it was hard to surprise him. So she kissed him again, harder this time, searching his mouth with her tongue lightly. He tasted like peppermint and the rich tannins of red wine. He had poured a glass for her, but it sat untasted next to the couch.
