Lying in bed, he was unable to sleep. His mind battling with emotions, thoughts, and regrets from the day. It was just after midnight and the house was full of visitors. Her family were close friends with his parents and they had come to hangout for the day and spend the night. People were sleeping throughout the small farm house.
Sofas, floors and beds were packed with siblings and parents. No space was spared. She was sleeping in one of his sisters beds this evening, and even though she over 40 feet and two rooms away, her image was burning in his mind as if she were in the room with him.
Their occasional family visits were bitter sweet. He longed to see her, but always felt awkward trying to talk to her, and his heart ached every time he stared into her piercing eyes. It was as if she could reach right inside of him and light his soul on fire.
They spent the day going for walks outside, playing board games and talking about nothing in particular. She was an angel and he was living for the moment, enjoying her laugh, breathing in her scent, treasuring every accidental brush of flesh on flesh as they walked.
She'd been with him throughout his entire life, yet might as well have been a million miles away. He couldn't remember a time when he didn't think of her at some point during each day. She as hypnotic, unforgettable and out of reach. Yet, at this very moment she was just a heart beat away in the other room, sleeping like a child.
The heat was getting to him. He threw the blanket off and sat upright in one fluid motion. He'd have to softly walk through a maze of bodies, but he decided to get up to have a drink of water.
He usually slept in less, but tonight he fumbled for a pair of pajama pants and a t-shirt to cover up - then he made his way through the house. Each sofa held the shadowy figure of a sleeping visitor. A make-shift bedding area was even on the floor for one of his sisters. It wasn't much of a house, so they all made room where they could.
He tip toed through the living room and past the open door to his sisters room and he took a deep breath. There she was, cast in a glow of moonlight coming through the window, lying on the bed asleep.
She slept on her back with one leg completely uncovered by her blanket. Her oversized sleep shirt had ridden up and was exposing the thin waist band of her panties across her hip. Her creamy skin seemed to reflect the moon's glow and her red hair cascaded all around her pillow, framing her beauty in a way he enjoyed deeply.
He looked away. Embarrassed that he was looking at her while she slept.
"It's not right" he thought.
He gazed around the room. No one has stirred. The house was as quiet as he'd ever remembered it being, which was unusual with guests in the house.
He looked back. He couldn't help himself. Her skin was a magnet for his gaze and he wanted this moment in time to freeze, so he could just take in her beauty and appreciate her for who she was.
He stepped closer, moving a few feet into the room. The moonlights direction changed and looked even more incredible across her bare thigh. He approached her bed side, knelt down, brought two fingers to his lips and then reached out as if to places this kiss directly onto her lips with his finger tips - but he stopped inches away as to not wake her. He smiled then turned to quietly leave. He found his way to the kitchen, found a glass, and gently turned the tap to pour a small cup of water without disturbing anyone.
He was wide awake, not sure if he'd ever get back to sleep now. Staring out of the kitchen window he watched a falling star glance across the sky as he took his last sip. It was a beautiful night and he could hear the crickets chirping in the yard when he stood this close to the window.
Suddenly he felt a surprising touch on his lower back that startled him. He turned quickly to see a flash of red curls and he instantly relaxed and smiled. She had come to check on him.
"Are you ok? What are you doing up?" she asked.
"I'm wonderful now. I just came to get a glass of water. What are you doing up?" he replied.
"Oh, I had a dream that you were close and I wanted to see if it was real"