Truth
As I heard your hand on the doorknob my voice faded, leaving only the last gasp of the crescendo. You stepped into the bathroom and I leaned back into the hot spray, chest heaving. The water coursing down my body did little to ease the sudden tension coiled in my stomach.
“What was that?” your voice was low and smooth.
Mine rasped, “A Mozart cantata. One he based on a traditional tune.”
“Why don’t you ever sing for me.”
“What do you mean?”
“How come you don’t sing for me? You’ll sing in front of thousands of strangers but you won’t sing for me.”
“I…" I cleared my throat “I don’t do that any more.” I sucked in a sharp breath, “It makes me panicky even thinking you heard me through the door.”
“So don’t think of it.” you said as you pulled the shower curtain aside and looked me in the eye. “Sing something for me, please.”
“What?” I laughed uncomfortably, the end of the word coming out as a squeak. “What would you want me to sing? I can’t. Don’t be silly.”
You smiled and looked thoughtful for a moment, then settled against the sink vanity. “Sing whatever comes to mind, something you listened to as a kid, anything you like.”
The shower curtain twitched closed leaving me to imagine you there, waiting, with one socked foot crossed over the other, worn jeans and soft wool sweater, your hair sticking up as if you’d been running your hands through it. Hoping to ease the tightness in my throat I ducked my head under the water letting it sluice over my face and hair. I rolled my shoulders and lifted my hands, flexed my fingers. I closed my eyes and pictured you as you’d looked that morning shaving, something I loved to watch. I saw again your hand poised, the careful pull of the razor blade.
My head tipped back slightly. I took one step forward and the sound rang off the walls of the small, steamy room.
You’d be so nice to come to
You’d be so nice by the fire
While the breeze on high, sang a lullaby
You’d be all that I could desire
Under stars chilled by the winter
Under an August moon burning above
You’d be so nice
You’d be paradise, to come home to and love
“Beautiful” you sighed, “What was that?”
“The truth.”
-Visionaria
(originally posted 27 December 2011)