Chanson De Printemps

Chanson De Printemps An Original Short Story By Harley Milo July 2005 (Revised April 2006) Play Music

                         * * 1 * *


While driving to her book signing, the hypnotic rhythm of raindrops beating on the windshield lulled Shannon into another Tonkawa trance, as she had named them. There she and Tonkawa laughed and played together within the secret refuge of her private thoughts. After their final separation 20 years ago, she had come to realize it was better to see him only in fantasies. She had stopped trying to contact him years ago, which put her current husband at ease though he knew he was no substitute for the one she truly desired. Shannon's Spring schedule was usually busy, but she always remembered Tonkawa's birthday because it was three days after hers. They would both turn 45 this month, which meant another year had passed without receiving a phone call from him. She hoped that eventually her soul mate would come around, but the truth remained that anytime they got together they mixed about as well as oil and water.

Walking to his corner office with a view, Tonkawa overheard his secretary on the phone planning his surprise birthday party. His birthday combined with the publicity from the Fiscal Year End Report made him hate the Springtime. Unable to make out much of his secretary's hushed words as he passed by, he casually sipped his coffee and then stopped when he heard Shannon’s name. His blood started boiling as he imagined Shannon showing up unwelcome at his house. With some more eavesdropping he quickly realized it was a different Shannon that was referenced. But, it reminded him how glad he was that he left the original Shannon behind for good 20 years ago and focused on his career. Since there was no space in his time management schedule for a high-maintenance love affair, he used his current wife as merely a subterfuge for the media. Over the years he had especially avoided Shannon like the plague... because each time they had gotten close, she ended up breaking his heart. He thought a poison symbol would look nice tattooed on her forehead.
 

                         * * 2 * *


Their 45th birthdays came and went but still there was no phone call. One month later, however, their paths would cross purely by accident. Neither of them would expect it, just like when they had accidentally reunited with Classmates.com after college or when they had first met at the 7th grade school dance more than three decades before. Was it possible that their chance encounters were not accidents? When star-crossed lovers were too stubborn to go to each other, maybe the Gods would design a meeting that would force them to collide.

In front of the massive stone and glass building were passengers stepping out of a black Escalade limousine, a silver Aston Martin DB9, and a red Ferrari 575M Maranello, among many other exotic cars. Nearby trees showcased bright green leaves and colorful blossoms, and a large fountain spurted high streams of water that glistened in the evening sunlight. It made for excellent news photos even though no cameras were allowed inside. The May festival was always a hot media topic because of its guest list.

The building housed a large banquet hall, adorned with only the finest materials... from Eucalyptus wood paneling to Italian marble floors. The colossal hanging chandeliers could make even the grand staircase envious. It was a place fit for the Gods.

The largest social gathering of the year was in order and the large congregation made a constant low hum of voices. Well-known authors and artists, powerful businesspeople and politicians, and many others like them attended the invitation-only event. The event was well under-way and the place was jam packed with people, but nothing other than an act of the Gods had the power to configure the next few moments so precisely.

Standing near a large medieval statue was Tonkawa. He wore a handsome black tuxedo by a famous designer with two-carrot diamond cufflinks, which appeased his admirers, especially his female devotees. He still got plenty of hot women for his age and was talking with two of them now, making them giggle as he swirled his Martini glass. His wedding ring was stowed in his pocket, as usual.

Across the way, a single raindrop ruby hung from Shannon's neck, complementing her ravishing red satin gown. She was not one to wear heavy makeup or flaunt fancy jewelry, yet Shannon still unknowingly turned heads as she made her way across the floor. She always refused invitations from suitors, although there was one man whom she could never refuse, if he would only ask. She stopped near a side table with silver platters of Calamari and other delicacies and took a bite before scanning the room.

Amidst the myriad of people and faces, Tonkawa happened to spot her in a red dress just as Shannon glanced his way. Their gazes went on missile-lock from 10 yards away. Unaccustomed to being caught off guard, Tonkawa's stomach sank and he lost his breath. Likewise, Shannon's heart skipped a beat and her pulse quickened with anticipation. The unexpected encounter left both of them mesmerized and unable to look away. It was as if their eyes were deserts soaking in the rain.


                         * * 3 * *


Neither one of the ex-lovers was as young and supple as they were the last time they had seen each other so long ago, but there was no mistaking their instant recognition of one another. Tonkawa's silver spectacles complemented his salt and pepper hair. These days, his eyes seemed jaded behind their smoky-blue color as if he had seen too much in his life. Similarly, Shannon's long brown hair with golden streaks picked up the yellow-flecks in her blue eyes, which also hid much pain behind them.

All Tonkawa could think about was how beautiful Shannon was standing there in her red gown—without the tattoo on her forehead, of course. Occasional thoughts of Shannon had surfaced in between executive meetings or golf outings, but they always led to unpleasant memories, such as the time she treated him like a play toy after her first divorce years ago, or the time before that when she cut him off during their Freshman year of college. Although he had acted like a jerk, she had ripped his heart out a few too many times and Tonkawa vowed it would never happen again. Thus, he had severed their ties for good and had not looked back for 20 years. Perhaps, he should have broken up with her more gently, or answered her phone calls a time or two. Now he wondered how he had been so cruel. It was his own fault he was without the one he loved, he realized.

Even Shannon’s best fantasies of Tonkawa paled in comparison to him standing there in real life wearing a tux and his eyes penetrating her. However, seeing the real Tonkawa brought back real pain. He had abandoned her without even saying goodbye, and had given her the cold shoulder for years afterwards despite her attempts at reconciliation. Thus, she would much rather see him in her Tonkawa trances while soaking in her bathtub or watering her garden. At least there in her daydreams Shannon could not hurt him by mistreating him or taking him for granted. Now she wondered how she had managed to screw up their love affairs, time and time again in their younger years. It was her own fault she lost her one true love, she realized.

After a moment, Shannon made the first move by sending him a warm yet meek smile. She wished it would carry the message that he had once been more than just a fling to her... so much more than he ever realized. Her excitement was building as Shannon imagined him taking her into his arms and carrying her away into the sunset. Instead, Tonkawa's face hardened with a frown. Assuming that he would turn away and pretend he never saw her, Shannon swallowed her disappointment and dropped her stinging eyes to the floor.

For the last few moments, Tonkawa's gaze had been holding strong, but his inner thoughts showed with a heavy frown on his face. Tonkawa felt torn between going out on a limb to say 'hello' and cowardly waving 'goodbye'. Would she reject him if he approached her? After the minutes passed, he watched Shannon's hopeful eyes turn glossy with pain. His hesitation had lasted too long, he realized. At the last second, he took a chance and mouthed the words ‘I'm sorry,’ but it was too late. He wished for her to realize that he had only brushed her off all those years to conceal his true feelings and protect his battered heart.

Just after mustering the courage to take a step in her direction, she abruptly turned her back on him. Tonkawa's heart shattered instantly and sent shrapnel throughout his body, piercing every nerve. He scolded himself for getting his hopes up and believing she might respond to him with forgiveness and a renewed love for him. He said to himself, 'I told you so,' and then cursed under his breath before darting out of sight.


                         * * 4 * *


Shannon had turned away only for a moment to respond to her escort's call and signal back with her forefinger requesting another minute. When she turned back around, Tonkawa had disappeared. A sense of panic overcame her and she objected to the Gods that it could not be over yet. Even though they could never be together again, Shannon felt compelled to at least talk to Tonkawa one last time. Frantically, she searched for him through the crowd like a mother in desperate need to find her lost child.

Tonkawa had ducked behind a corner to regain his composure. 'Why didn't I say hello and go to her immediately?' Tonkawa criticized himself. He soon realized he was hiding because he feared rejection and chastisement, but he had been running from her for too long. He ordered himself to confront Shannon to set the record straight. Even though they could never be together again due to the circumstances he at least wanted to lay out his feelings once and for all—that he had falsely led her to believe he had not loved her all those years. He owed at least that much to her, and who knows, maybe it could help fix his karma. He may never get a better chance.

As he devised his plan for making amends with Shannon, an instrumental version of a song by Crow & Kid called "Picture" playing in the background distracted him, taking him back to one of the few nights they had made love to each other. In all his years, and of all the women he'd been with, he never found a more perfect fit than Shannon. He now realized how dull the excitement was with those other women in contrast to the insane passion that Shannon could elicit in him with a single touch or twinkle in her eye.

When he was ready to track to her down, Tonkawa stepped out into the open from his hidden corner. In an instant, he collided head-on with Shannon rounding the corner simultaneously. With an automatic reaction, they both grabbed the others' arms to break the impact. The two ex-lovers stopped in their tracks and their bodies stiffened as if shot by a stun gun. With their faces only inches apart, it was a standoff. Neither one moved a muscle, not even to blink. Being in such close proximity, while restraining their attraction, was excruciating. The ex-lovers were both too stubborn to give, and too weak to reveal their true feelings.

Tonkawa didn't expect to find her so quickly and was caught off-guard—this wasn't part of his plan. At the moment, he could smell her sweet perfume and wanted to pull her deeper into his arms. He was surprised by how easily she still turned him on, and his eyes automatically showed his desire by turning gray like an ocean storm. Forgetting what he was supposed to say, Tonkawa almost proclaimed, "Damn, woman, I still want you." He could feel the bare skin of her upper arms growing warmer under his grip and there was only one thing on his mind.

Shannon was surprised to find him, as well, for she expected him to vanish for good, like always. Right now, she could hear his short breaths and smell his Chrome cologne. Her attraction to him was as strong as ever, and she automatically licked her lips. She wanted to say that all was forgiven. That and how much her body has longed for him every day and every night for so many lonely years. She could feel the smooth texture of his tuxedo coat begin to radiate heat to her hands and all she wanted was for him to seize her mouth with his.

Time froze while they passed subconscious thoughts through their stares. After several moments of silence, it was time for someone speak, or at least to release their hold on the other. They were both good actors and successfully remained calm and collected, pretending the other had no effect on them. Shannon was waiting for him to speak first; she felt the ball was in his court because he had avoided her all those years. Tonkawa couldn't bear another turn of her back like earlier and he intended to wait for her to speak first. That or he could suck it up and carry out his plan to make amends.

Breaking the spell, Tonkawa nonchalantly dropped his arms and asked light-heartedly, "Would you like to hear a never-before-told story about that famous art piece over there?" He hoped the question might entice her to stick around and hear him out. Playing along, Shannon smiled and agreed to listen, for she had always loved hearing his melodic and soothing voice.

It was surprising that they both agreed to cooperate, each of them yielding to the other. At once, the tension in their muscles relaxed, but the air was still filled with uneasiness. Shannon followed as Tonkawa began telling the story and led the way over to "Principe," an art piece that was supposedly inspired by one of Tonkawa's favorite books by Machiavelli written in 1513.


 
                         * * 5 * *


Shannon was lost in her own inner thoughts as Tonkawa described the art, plus a few of his own worldly travels, all of which sounded quite impressive with only half an ear. Tonkawa's ramblings bought her some time to think of what she would say to him if she only got one last sentence, because this was her only chance. She might exclaim that he ruined her life when he left, or profess that he was the greatest man she had ever known. Instead, with only one sentence Shannon would ask if he was still carrying a flame for her. Knowing the truth would allow her to finally close the book on him and live in peace. She did not actually wish to be together again; at age 45 their lives were set on very different, unchangeable courses.

Taking a Midori sour from the waiter passing by, Shannon slowly rolled the tart liquid over her tongue and savored the taste, which brought back a memory of one night they had made love to each other under the stars. The thoughts alone made part of her turn liquid on the inside and made her face flush with heat. No man had ever fit as perfectly as Tonkawa. Sadly, she had not felt real pleasure in years, ever since that last fateful night when Tonkawa had made her cry in ecstasy only to discover she would never see him again.

As his story concluded, Tonkawa had already composed his reconciliatory speech behind the scenes. "You know, there is something I'd like to say to you in case we never see each other again," he announced. Although he had been acting cool and distant so far this evening, as if they had been no more than mere acquaintances in the past, now Tonkawa seductively took Shannon's hand in his and looked deep into her eyes. He confessed, "You are my North Star, always in my heart but just out of reach; something I turn to when I get lost and something I could never have lived without."

Nervously, Tonkawa anticipated her reaction, or more likely rejection, judging from her somber face. Either way, saying those words made a dark cloud lift away from his head; he was glad he took the risk, if only to free himself from the chains of guilt and regret so he could live his life in peace.

Shannon's heart dropped like a rock and her throat swelled as she stood there in shock as he answered her unasked question. All her buried emotions began to surface and her face went pale with sadness. For years Tonkawa had tried to convince Shannon that he could do without her; he had left her, hurt her and rejected her. All the while, Shannon had battled every nerve in her body telling her otherwise, insisting that he actually wanted and needed her. Upon hearing his confession, Shannon thought to herself, 'finally, my deepest intuition and his words are in sync.' It was true that he had always secretly loved and cared for her despite his false front. Knowing their love was mutual, Shannon's greatest wish had come true. Overwhelmed with gratitude for his truthfulness, she flashed him her brightest smile and sparkling eyes.

"Shannon!" a ragged voice cried out in the distance, startling them both. With panic coming over her, Shannon spun around to find her escort approaching quickly. She began to contrive an explanation but found that Tonkawa had disappeared, making it easier on her. "There you are, Darling. Where have you been?" he demanded before offering her a glass of Cape Cod, which she eagerly accepted in order to subdue her lingering giddiness caused by Tonkawa. With regained composure Shannon kindly explained her need for more time to study the artwork and she was left alone.

 
                         * * 6 * *


Once the wide marble column fringed by two thick fanning Mexican Palm trees camouflaged him, Tonkawa removed his jacket to cool-off. 'Why did I say that?' he scolded himself. He had not meant to lead her on or make her smile like that; he wanted no strings attached. All he owed her was the truth and that was it, but now he worried she would expect more from him, to allow her to share his life, something that he could not provide. With final resolve, he intended to tell her to forget everything and then say goodbye. Downing a shot of Whiskey, he planned his final speech and his escape.

With a sudden jolt, two arms embraced him from behind and wrapped themselves around his torso. Tonkawa's body melted and thoughts of running away vanished instantly. Again, nothing went as planned, for now the tides had turned, washing away his self-control. Throwing his cares to the wind, he gave into her and let all of his walls be torn down, if only for one night. It felt so good to have Shannon’s body pressed up against his back, and a growing desire manifested below his belt.

Her light breath brushed his neck as she playfully whispered behind his ear, "We're old enough to know by now that people don't change." It was a slight jab at Tonkawa's wrongdoings but also implied that she accepted him with all his faults. It also meant that Shannon knew they could never be together, which took the pressure off him. Tonkawa triumphantly relished the idea that she still accepted him after they had hurt each other so much. The comment was double-edged because she quickly added, "That is how you can be certain that I will always love you."

With those words, a light went on inside Tonkawa. It was as if suddenly Shannon had pushed the right button and, for the first time in his life, Tonkawa surrendered to a woman. It dawned on him that if Shannon maintained her love for him for more than 30 years, despite him pushing her away, then it was a safe bet that her love was pure and solid. Although his back was to her, Tonkawa grinned from ear to ear in elation and utter contentment. As Shannon's hands began caressing him from behind, this time he would not push her away.

 
                        * * 7 * *


The cycle was broken; the perpetual game of cat and mouse was over. For some rare soul mates, it took more than words or actions to convince them to trust each other, as well as their hearts. In this case, only time had the power to testify their love was true. They had carried a flame for each other for over three decades despite being apart almost the entire time. Plus, their physical attraction was still as strong as the last time they had made love to their younger selves. At last, their souls mixed together not like oil and water, but like a sensational glass of Rum and Coke on the rocks.

Tonkawa turned to face her, and with his devilishly handsome grin and smoldering eyes he said, "Let's get some air and gaze at the stars." He took her waist and led her to the balcony with a good view of the dark night sky. Once they were outside under the starlight canopy, without a word, Tonkawa wrapped her in his arms and gently kissed her ruby red lips. In response, Shannon pressed her breasts to him and kissed him back with a soulful yearning that only Tonkawa would ever have the privilege of tasting.

Although Shannon and Tonkawa would never see each other again after that night, the gods celebrated their final reunion by casting a shooting star in honor of the soul mates.




This story may not be used or copied without express written permission. Copyright © Harley Milo 2005.

Also published on Story Pen  www.storypen.com/harleymilo

Please Critique This Item

Excellent Good Average Poor Bad Comments Email Address (Optional)