The Miser of Love

by Moshe Dann (July 2013)

He reached out, slid off the band that held her hair, running his fingers through it and then pulled her close to him. She did not resist, but when he tried to kiss her, she gently pushed him away.

Shadows played wildly across the ceiling. Needs without boundaries. He watched them move as delicately as cobwebs and useless as a torn umbrella in a storm. A small residue of light hung on to the window, staining the edges with doubt.

Was this a warning? Was it over already? He was afraid. Did she see my vulnerability? He tried to steady himself. What does she want from me and what do I want from her?

He felt satisfied in his conquest, but began to sense that perhaps it was really the other way around. He was the one who had been seduced.

Jonah tried to move. He closed his eyes, hardly breathing. When he looked around she was gone. Standing up, he slipped quickly into his blue shirt and overalls, pulled on his parka that hung by the door and walked outside into the street of illuminated dreams.

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