Why I Think I'll Be Staying Home Tonight Read online

And the crazy thing about it is, I really believed it could happen. For that brief, timeless instant when she kissed me, I believed that she could actually see into me and grant my wish. I believed this. I mean, I not only expected my wish to come true—I wasn't prepared for it not to come true.

  But the glow behind her had coalesced into more or less a rectangle of light by now, about the size of someone's front door. She stepped back, smiled at me again, touched me on the cheek—and then she slipped away into the light. I could still see her for a few seconds after that, flashing away down some axis that seemed to run at right angles to every solid thing around me. I can't even picture it now in my head, it was so bizarre. But then she was gone, and all that was left of her was this weird kind of afterimage on the backs of my eyes.

  I must have stood there a good ten minutes, staring at some empty spot in the air. I only gradually began to feel the cold again, and to hear the sounds of the late-night traffic, and to see the soft lights of the city—and when I'd collected as many pieces of myself as I could, I got back in my car and drove home.

  I don't know what more there is to tell, really. Oh, yeah, the woman at the office—the junior exec. I did get back at her. Turned her down for lunch the other day, right in front of everybody on the floor. She'd been leaving messages at my extension for a couple of weeks, but I'd never called her back. Of course, it was just corporate etiquette on her part, but still, it felt pretty damn good to turn her down. Never seen a woman rush away in such a fluster.

  So, I guess that's it ... and the way you look, I guess you want an answer now, right? Well, I've been thinking it over pretty hard ... and, well, let me take a rain check on this party. There's a lot that needs doing around here, and—

  Yes, I know I keep putting you off, but—

  Well, keep trying. I'll have a free evening one of these days, I'm sure.

  No, I'm not expecting anyone. Why—?

  Oh ... those. Well, you know, the wineglasses are there for—well, you know, just in case someone drops by. I mean, you never know when ... when...

  Listen, you want to stay for another minute or two and have a glass of ... ?

  No, no, of course I understand. You'll be driving tonight. I should have thought.

  So you're off, then? Well, have fun.

  Yes, I'm glad you did, too. Any time. I'm always around.

  Oh, here, let me help you with that. You know, that perfume you're wearing smells really lovely.

  It does, really. And you look just lovely.

  Of course I mean it. In fact, I almost—

  No, wait—I've got too much to do. You go and enjoy yourself. I'll come along some other time, all right?

  As for tonight ... well, tonight I think it'd be best if I just stayed home.

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