“What’s wrong champ?” Asked Alan as he laid across one of the hotel beds. “You’ve been so glum chum.”

“I’m not glum and nothing’s wrong.” I told him as I typed away at the laptop.

“If that’s true then let’s go have a drink. Just like we always do.”

“I don’t drink, and you know that.”

“Why is that?”

“Veronica doesn’t like it when I drink. Regardless, I’m not interested.” I enforced while I delved deeper into my work.

“All I’m hearing are clicks and dancing fingers. What are you doing over there?”

“Just work. The reason we’re here after all.”

“That can wait for the morning. Let’s get out of this stuffy room and hit the streets.”

“Why must you be so insistent on my going with you?” I asked turning the office chair towards Alan.

“Besides not wanting to be alone I thought you might know some interesting places around.”

“Why would you think that? I don’t live here.”

“True but you’ve been going out every night since we got here. You wouldn’t have gone out for two weeks straight if there wasn’t anything interesting going on. So, tell me what you’ve found. What’s the name of the place or, may it be, the girl?”

“I’ve found no one and nothing.”

“I get it. You want to keep it on the down low. Make sure the wife doesn’t find out. You’ll loosen up about it one day and when you do, I hope I’ll be the first you tell.”

“I need some fresh air.” I said getting up and heading to the door.

“Then why don’t we enjoy the air together?” Alan suggested.

“No.” I said before closing the door behind me.

Walking the street, I found the air to much colder than the previous nights. For mid-June it seemed supernatural to see my exhaled breaths before my eyes. Not like they looked long enough to question what they saw. They busied themselves darting back and forth as they scanned the people around me. Set on finding the beauty with the blue eyes. Walking all the way to the bakery on the corner I waited. I never once caught sight of her and as I prepared to head back, as the dates changed, my eyes rested upon her.

“Lexi!” I called across the intersection, but she didn’t hear. Slamming the button, I waited shaking in my shoes until the light changed and I ran across yelling “Lexi!” She didn’t hear me. Chasing after her through side streets and alleys it seemed I was chasing a ghost that always lingered but never touched. Even if that were true something inside me wouldn’t rest till, I had her touch. I continued as I had until she stopped in front of that same corner bakery. Alone she stood in a still night, that held no sound besides the steps of my feet, as she turned to me.

“It’s been awhile James. I’ve longed for you for such time.” She uttered with a voice the scarred the night and all nights to come.