I see her sitting at the table across from me. Lifting the martini glass to her red lips, I noticed the tiny age spots on her hand.
I became fixated on her for some reason. I noticed her pointy red nails. Her dark blue dress had a plunging neckline revealing a spray tanned cleavage with deep lines in between her breasts. She wore three inch patent leather heels with black stockings and her hair was feathered and dyed honey blonde. She had black eyeliner and dark eyebrows that stood out as if they were shouting.
My gaze turns towards my friends, who are busy talking and drinking. Some are dancing while the colorful neon lights are rythmically moving to the music.
I watch them throwing their hands in the air and laughing, unaware they are living a moment in time that they will nostalgically remember to be magical and carefree.
All are too busy partying to notice the lady across our table still sitting by herself.
She took a large gulp of her martini and asked a young man passing by a question as she pointed to the dance floor. He looked a bit confused and shook his head as he walked away mumbling to himself. Embarassed, the lady took another sip and stared down into her drink.
I couldn’t help but wonder what she was thinking. What brought her here tonight in her painfully outdated outfit and Charlie’s Angels hairstyle? There was an aura of desperation about her.
I imagined what she was like 20 years ago. Looking through her overdone makeup I could see a woman who was once quite beautiful. A woman who, I imagine, during her glory days had the attention of many men and would have had her pick of someone to dance with. I saw a big diamond ring on one of her skinny fingers but it was not a wedding ring.
Suddenly I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was the man who the older woman spoke to earlier. He asked me if I wanted to dance. One of my favorite songs was playing so I took his hand and followed him towards the dance floor.
I passed by the woman’s table as she looked at me with an awkward somber expression.
After seeing the sadness in her eyes I no longer felt like dancing. The burning in the pit of my stomach made me stop and let go of the man’s hand. He looked surprised as I walked away with no explanation.
A tear drop rolling down her cheek shimmered in the neon light as I sat next to her and ordered two martinis.
Short Stories
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I enjoyed reading your story! I loved the attention to detail. Because, I knew she was an older woman from her age spots. I wished you described what she was wearing in that part though, so through out the piece I knew she did not fit in. I also really enjoyed the ending. I was literally almost in tears!
Thank you so much and a great suggestion!!
Juliasamone – I took your advice. The flow is much smoother…thanks again! ?
Hi there! Your fiction piece has been chosen for the featured story on Noahwriting’s socials for today. If you would like your Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram handle plugged into the post, let me know! You can find your story featured here: https://www.facebook.com/noahwriting/
Thank you!!!??