Symphony

Chapter III

One unexpected side effect of going on a date with his wife, James thought on the way back, was seeing her with brand new eyes. They had talked and she had drunk, and he had come to the realization that he loved her, he truly loved her. He just didn't like her that much. What had changed?

Her? Himself? Both, most likely. Time always comes bearing gifts, and often unwelcome ones.

What hadn't changed was Caroline's absolute inability to handle her wine. She slept like a baby all the way home, leaving James alone with his thoughts, which quickly got the better of him.

Imagination is a powerful force, and once trapped in its wind, it's impossible not to drift away. He thought of Kate. A scenario formed in his mind, as vivid as any film. She would ask for a ride home, and of course he would give her one. It would only be right. Then, she would smile, and express how much she appreciated the gesture. He would say it was nothing, but she would insist that she really valued him, her small hand sliding up his leg inside the car…

Before he knew it, they were home. He sighed, and helped Caroline inside. Half awake, she went upstairs. Kate smiled. Damn.

“Looks like she doesn't have much stamina, huh?”

Was that meant as a double entendre? No way. Keep it together, thought James. However, fantasy soon started bleeding into reality.

“So... Do you want me to take you home?”

Kate looked at him, puzzled.

“Take me home? I live like, two blocks away. I can walk. It's not like we're in a dangerous area or anything”

In that moment, entire worlds came tumbling down. He had imagined so many things, without even realizing it, and now, in that simple statement, was the death of an infinity of possible futures. One where they ran away together. One where Kate moved in with them, rekindling the relationship and becoming a permanent trio. One where Kate bound Caroline and humped her face, laughing at her, her weakness, her advancing age. But now all that remained was the cold, grey mist of reality.

“Adam was a joy, by the way”, she broke in.

“Sorry?”

“He just slept like an angel. I didn't have much to do, honestly”

“I'm sorry. That must have been boring”

“Oh, not at all. I had a nice time, scrolling through Tumblr and stuff”

Tumblr? Wasn't that place full of... porn? No, it had other things as well. Damnit, James, get your mind straight.

Did he want to, though? These twisted thoughts were at least entertaining…

“Anyway”, she continued, getting closer to James. “I'll be going now. But thank you for the offer. Maybe someday I'll have to go somewhere and I'll take you up on it, if that's okay”

“Yeah, sure”

She kissed him on the cheek.

“That's really sweet, James. Well, until next time!”

Kate let herself out, which was a good thing, since James was, in effect, paralyzed. He touched his face gently, just where she had kissed it, as if to somehow seal that moment forever, store it on his skin.

She had kissed him.

Color exploded inside his grey world.