Txt msg from Big Sur
It’s approaching midnight and I’m in a lodge that sits cliffside on the western shelf of civilization. The brink of the world falls deeply into the Pacific, while I cling to thoughts of home. A handful of ceiling lights shine on the lacquered wooden tables and benches. I open my cell phone to check for messages. There are no rings or tones. I reboot my phone and check once again. The wireless signal shows a full set of curved lines fanning outward. Then, the sound of two bells crashing into each other lifts my mood. I see a message from a dear friend and one from my mother. Both are welcome but they’re not the response I’m waiting for. I look towards the dark recesses of the lodge and wait for a lost message to find its way home.
Three days ago, I wasn’t on the edge of the world, I was on top of it. It was our first date and I was driving to pick her up from downtown. We met a week prior but maybe she wasn’t as attractive as I remembered. When we first met, she was shorter and wore a thick coat. Maybe she had the stature of a garden gnome and was hiding her fleshy arms.
I parked the car and phoned for her to come out. I wanted to get the first look so I stepped outside and scanned both ends of the street. From the far right corner, I saw a figure on the dimly lit sidewalk moving towards me. She had long brown and wavy hair. She wore a dark dress over her sleek yet full physique. I closed my eyes for half a second longer than normal. Thank god, she looks great.
“Hop in!”
She sat in the car and we drove to a venue a few blocks away. The conversation ebbed effortlessly. Up close, I could see the fairness and softness of her skin. There was always a welcoming smile. I felt a familiarity with her like I was talking to an old friend I haven’t seen in years. At the show, we enjoyed discussing sculpture art, Ecuadorian chocolate, and our passion for work. When the music hit, we moved in sync and I moved in close. “You smell good,” I said. She smiled. I pulled on the outside of her hip and she swayed towards me.
When the show ended, the crowd exited the auditorium but I wanted to make my mark. A simple kiss with her full lips pressed against mine. Once then twice in the darkness of the room.
We decided that the night should continue over food. I choose Koreatown. She was not impressed with the uni pasta but made light of it. Then, I took her for a final stroll through the empty streets. We talked about past relationships, kids, and dating. She had to wake up early the next morning. A couple of kisses more and she was on her way home. The next morning, I saw her thank you text on my phone.
I thought about her all weekend. Three days later, while on the edge of the world, I sent her a message. “Txt msg from Big Sur: Be ready for a Saturday adventure.” After hitting send, I felt uneasy. Like her thank you note could be the last message she’d ever send me back.