The Choice

It was a quick touch. It could have gone unnoticed by everyone else in the room but I saw it. She walked behind him as if in a hurry, then she quickly touched his sides so her fingers gently caressed his skin through his crisp linen shirt. She whispered, "excuse me". He blinked and held his breath. The exchange lasted one second but I witnessed it all. What went through his mind? He was electrified by her touch. Would he think about this tonight? So many thoughts, I saw them cross his face.

I imagined that he was pushing thoughts of someone else from his mind. He was here, living in the now. Did she touch him on purpose? Did she also feel the intensity? A million thoughts racing through his mind.

I watched them, I was glued to my seat, sipping my latte. It was a delicate dance. Would she remember him, to dream of this moment later? He was caressing the feeling, holding on to the moment. He was transfixed!

He could still smell her perfume. Did he imagine that her breasts touched his back or did it really happen?

I watched him as he walked away. He did not look back. It would remain in his fantasy. He would preserve that moment for a long time to come. He would spend many days reevaluating his life. He would try to know why the one he loved did not evoke this feeling.

I watched him from my seat. I saw his exit. He draped his jacket over his shoulder and straightened his gait. He did not look back.

She smiled because she knew, it would have spelled danger.

I watched them, I sipped my coffee. A simple exchange that would forever change the course of two lives. I watched, I sipped then I took up my paper and stepped into the sunlight.