Waldin found himself awake rather early the next morning. It was a usual side effect of a nearly sleepless night. At least he had avoided another encounter with Aiden. He decided he’d take advantage of the early start and grab breakfast at the cafe. Before he could leave he was met with a creased note, partially slipped under his door, a sight he was growing rather accustomed to. Never had she confused him more.
Come over when you’re ready.
349 E. 11th St.
How plainly cryptic. When he was ready? What the hell did that even mean? What did she expect from him? What was he supposed to be ready for? Then it occurred to him. He would never be more ready for whatever might come than he was in that very moment. Without another moment of hesitation, he took one last look at the note and closed the door behind him.
Waldin figured he would have to be let it in, but most of the apartments on E. 11th were more the rundown, but still oddly endearing, type places; so he somewhat uncomfortably entered the building and made his way up to the third floor. Upon reaching her floor, he was greeted by a few stalks of celery, a tomato, a partially cracked jar of almond butter, and what looked like the handle of a paper bag strewn across the hallway. Instinctively, he began picking up the items only to hear noises coming from behind the door beside him. He quickly rose to find that the door before him was none other than 349. Apparently, the landlord had no intentions of catering to those more numerically oriented. The door was partially open. Far past the point of equivocation, he walked in.
Avalyn, clearly frustrated, sat crouched in front of the fridge, frantically trying to find a place for both tofu and a rather massive bag of carrots. He stood completely silent for a few seconds, and only after deliberately placing her dropped groceries on a side table, did she finally notice his presence. Her eyes locked on his, but there was not an ounce of fear or even surprise in her glance. She carelessly let the bag slide to the floor, from the bottom shelf she had tried to force it onto. Without saying a word she stood up and walked slowly towards him. The space between them gradually diminished until only an inch separated them. It seemed that no force in the cosmos could stop what drew them together. Without pause she gently placed her lips on his, and waited. He contained no defense to her touch and began to kiss her, only to find her lower lip quivering. He pulled away, alarmed at the sight of tears running down her face. His mouth opened to speak but before he could she nodded ever so faintly. In her eyes, which had not separated from his since she saw him, he found an unprecedented awe, a transcendent understanding that spoke louder and more clearly than words ever could. Void of warning, tears seemed to accumulate in his eyes, yet his well trained eyelids held them back. He embraced her face with his hands, and with his thumbs he tried to wipe the tears but she gently slid his hands down and the drops continued to fall. Waldin finally understood. The space between them ceased to exist, and she lost herself in him as he found himself in her. She was not so foolish as to fear rift.
Considering all that Waldin disclosed to me, it might be assumed that I would have more to contribute on what followed. Though I may have enjoyed the details, back then at least, we always had an unspoken “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy on the matter. I must not forget that, at heart, Waldin was always a modest man. I suppose there are certain things that serve us better unknown.
“Though in reality she likely ran right into my arms and we immediately made love, I swear we stood there for hours, like repulsing magnets driven together, respectively, by fear and what some call love. Which one drove more I may never know.” - W
It had been years since Waldin had woken up in a room other than his own. He laid his head back down, rather surprised to find Avalyn still beside him, but even more surprised to find himself still beside her. Unsure of how he managed or even deserved to end up in his current condition, he knew only that he wished for it to continue. With a deep, contented breath, he closed his eyes and fell back to sleep. By the time he awoke the second time, she no longer remained by his side. Slowly rolling over, he saw Avalyn sitting cross-legged on the floor in front of the window. “I almost forgot how early it still is.”
After a few seconds, Waldin realized that no response was in order. He rolled out of bed and took a seat next to her, quickly realizing she didn’t seem to plan on acknowledging him, or anything around her for that matter, anytime soon. Doing his best to mirror her countenance, he closed his eyes and synced his breath with hers. The simple idea of thinking about nothing seemed rather daunting. Should he suggest getting breakfast? Or lunch? How long should he stay? What time was it even? Why was he just sleeping? She had to be thinking about something, right? Did she even know he was there?
Just as he began to lose his concept of time, she broke the silence. “I sit here every morning, nearly losing my mind, thinking about all that could have been the day before. I nearly cry for all the people I didn’t meet, the experiences I never even gave a chance, the beauty I failed to see. I sometimes even think about ending it all over the grief of all the good I’ve failed to and may never do. Yet, today, I sit here clear minded and somewhat content. And I’m not sure whether to be pleased or utterly horrified.”
He placed his hand gently on hers, and again closed his eyes.
She did the same.
Chapter 8