by Linda Pearce (Looks are Often Deceiving)
I looked out the window of the coffee house the sounds of people laughing behind me as I stared into the moonlit streets wondering why I was alone, again. I was a nice looking fellow with a good job and reasonable intelligence. I couldn’t figure out why I was having such a hard time. The neon light from the Pike Street Market sign shined brightly causing a kaleidoscope of colors on the wet ground. As I pondered the breakup of yet another relationship I suddenly realized that I was staring straight into the most beautiful eyes I had ever seen. They were looking back at me through the window. When she saw that I had noticed she glanced away shyly, her curly auburn hair curtaining her face. I started to get up entranced wanting to meet this lady. Her eyes widened and she bolted. I tried to jet out the door after her but was blocked by the crowd of people coming in as she disappeared into the darkness up the street. I looked around for her a few more minutes and then sighed in resignation.
Somehow I knew I needed to meet her, this stranger in the night. I went dejectedly back inside and asked the woman at the counter if she knew who the lady was.
“Do you know the woman with long red hair and light hazel eyes?” I inquired.
Her tag said her name was Julie replied, “Oh, you must mean Jeanine. She is a friend of mine. No one else I know has that color without contacts.” She looked at me suspiciously, “Why?”
Unable to think up an excuse I replied honestly, “I just saw her, she is remarkable! I don’t normally do this but is there any way I can meet her?” I couldn’t believe my own ears as I said that. I usually didn’t pursue anyone.
Julie looked me up and down trying to see if I was some sort of stalker or something. Hesitating a few more minutes she gave a nod and replied, “I think I can arrange it… HERE.”
I got her meaning and smiled, “That would be perfect. I am Avery by the way.”
She smiled sardonically, “Nice, but this is assuming Jeanine wants to meet you, did she even see you?”
Suddenly I was unsettled as I fiddled with my watch, “I think so. Just tell her I was the one staring out the window tonight. I think she will remember.” I looked up, “Can you tell me anything about her?”
She gave me a shuttered stare, “Nothing, IF she wants to meet you I will let her tell you.” She paused, “I’ll tell you what. You come back tomorrow evening around seven and if she is here, fine. If she isn’t then you will NOT be coming back. Deal?”
I hesitated as this coffee shop had been a convenient place to hang out but then I nodded. “Deal!”
--**--
The next day dragged by at my job, minutes ticking slowly as I waited until the time to go meet her. She had haunted my dreams the night before, this Jeanine. I tried to throw myself into my work but everyone seemed to know something was up and steered clear as I growled through the day. I didn’t know why I was reacting to this woman but I wanted to find out.
Seven o’clock and I arrived at the coffee house almost frightened that she wouldn’t be there. Julie looked up and nodded at a table in the back. I ordered my Latte and she handed it to me along with a Chai tea. I walked back to greet this lady I needed to meet. Her countenance was proper, her back straight and her small delicate hands clasped tightly together before her. Her auburn tresses were swept back into a loose ponytail with only a hint of lip gloss for makeup. She studied me neutrally with those expressive hazel eyes as I walked up. I slowed when a panicked expression flowed across her face and she looked ready to bolt again.
Very slowly I slid in the chair across from her saying, “Hi, I’m Avery. Please don’t leave. I don’t usually frighten people.” I grinned with my most winning smile hoping to put her at ease.
She slowly smiled in return and replied in a hesitant husky voice, “I’m Jeanine. Why did you want to meet me?”
Unused to someone being so straight forward I stammered a moment giving her a puzzled look before replying, “I am not sure. I don’t usually do this. But you are striking and your eyes…”
She glanced up at me shyly, trying to read my expression. Pushing a stray curl behind her ear she nibbled on her lower lip and decided to stay.
We spoke long into the night and much the same for the next several days as well. My friends were leaving me messages everywhere but I only had time for her. I soon realized that I was falling in love with Jeanine. The way she moved so gracefully and the way she played with her curls. The way she would lift her face to the sun with a smile that rivaled it.
The lovely weather stayed with us into the weekend and we drove to the beach. We ran along in the sand and played keep away with the waves. We collapsed on a blanket I had brought and she stretched out in contentment as I started unwrapping our lunch. I realized that she never spoke of her family and I suddenly wanted to know everything about her.
“Jeanine?”
“Hmmm?” she replied with her eyes still closed. I leaned in close feeling the warmth from the sun on her skin. Tracing the neckline of her soft green sweater with my fingers I delicately kissed her lips. Her eyes flew open and she started to tense. I gathered her close and kissed her deeply feeling her relax in my embrace. She made small mewling sounds as she wrapped her arms tightly around my neck pressing into me. I tangled my fingers in her hair as I lifted my head to look in her eyes and suddenly realized they had changed colors. They were a beautiful shade of yellow. My eyes widened in shock as I watched them change back and the sadness that came with it. She moved away and started putting on her shoes as if getting ready to leave. I reached out to capture her hand.
“Wait.” She looked away. “What’s going on?”
Jeanine shook her head silently.
“Please!” She looked over hesitantly and saw not rejection as she thought she would but just bewilderment.
With hope dawning in her face she replied, “I guess I better just show you. Come on.”
We gathered up our few things and drove back to the city. As she gave directions to her home I was suddenly nervous about meeting her family. She laughed at the look on my face, “Don’t worry, it’s just my sister. My parents live in Oregon.” I breathed a small sigh of relief.
We pulled up outside a nondescript rambler somewhere in the northern burbs of Seattle. Hand in hand we walked slowly up to the door, my heart skipping a beat.
“Danny, I’m back. I’ve brought someone home for dinner.” Jeanine yelled as we walked in.
“Oh good, I will be out as soon as I have changed!” I heard the voice from the back of the house.
“It’s ok, Danny. I want him to meet Drew before we eat.” Turning to me Jeanine glanced at my puzzled expression and said, “Drew is my nephew.” She took my both my hands as we walked into the kitchen wrapping my arms around her. She hesitated a moment before moving past the island and led me to the playpen in the center of the family room. Contrary to the rest of the comfortably furnished home, the room was sparsely decorated and had a sterile white tile floor. Moving out of my arms Jeanine stepped aside so I could see, giving me a strangely triumphant look.
I looked down into the playpen where a tiger cub was clutched a sea foam-green teddy bear as it slept. I looked up at Jeanine in surprise, then stared as her beautiful hazel eyes melted into tawny gold with vertical slit pupils like a cat. I could not look away, even as I saw an adult tigress padding into the room from the corner of my eye.
I barely recognized Jeanine's voice through the husky growl as she said, “Wake up Drew, dinner is here...”
I looked out the window of the coffee house the sounds of people laughing behind me as I stared into the moonlit streets wondering why I was alone, again. I was a nice looking fellow with a good job and reasonable intelligence. I couldn’t figure out why I was having such a hard time. The neon light from the Pike Street Market sign shined brightly causing a kaleidoscope of colors on the wet ground. As I pondered the breakup of yet another relationship I suddenly realized that I was staring straight into the most beautiful eyes I had ever seen. They were looking back at me through the window. When she saw that I had noticed she glanced away shyly, her curly auburn hair curtaining her face. I started to get up entranced wanting to meet this lady. Her eyes widened and she bolted. I tried to jet out the door after her but was blocked by the crowd of people coming in as she disappeared into the darkness up the street. I looked around for her a few more minutes and then sighed in resignation.
Somehow I knew I needed to meet her, this stranger in the night. I went dejectedly back inside and asked the woman at the counter if she knew who the lady was.
“Do you know the woman with long red hair and light hazel eyes?” I inquired.
Her tag said her name was Julie replied, “Oh, you must mean Jeanine. She is a friend of mine. No one else I know has that color without contacts.” She looked at me suspiciously, “Why?”
Unable to think up an excuse I replied honestly, “I just saw her, she is remarkable! I don’t normally do this but is there any way I can meet her?” I couldn’t believe my own ears as I said that. I usually didn’t pursue anyone.
Julie looked me up and down trying to see if I was some sort of stalker or something. Hesitating a few more minutes she gave a nod and replied, “I think I can arrange it… HERE.”
I got her meaning and smiled, “That would be perfect. I am Avery by the way.”
She smiled sardonically, “Nice, but this is assuming Jeanine wants to meet you, did she even see you?”
Suddenly I was unsettled as I fiddled with my watch, “I think so. Just tell her I was the one staring out the window tonight. I think she will remember.” I looked up, “Can you tell me anything about her?”
She gave me a shuttered stare, “Nothing, IF she wants to meet you I will let her tell you.” She paused, “I’ll tell you what. You come back tomorrow evening around seven and if she is here, fine. If she isn’t then you will NOT be coming back. Deal?”
I hesitated as this coffee shop had been a convenient place to hang out but then I nodded. “Deal!”
--**--
The next day dragged by at my job, minutes ticking slowly as I waited until the time to go meet her. She had haunted my dreams the night before, this Jeanine. I tried to throw myself into my work but everyone seemed to know something was up and steered clear as I growled through the day. I didn’t know why I was reacting to this woman but I wanted to find out.
Seven o’clock and I arrived at the coffee house almost frightened that she wouldn’t be there. Julie looked up and nodded at a table in the back. I ordered my Latte and she handed it to me along with a Chai tea. I walked back to greet this lady I needed to meet. Her countenance was proper, her back straight and her small delicate hands clasped tightly together before her. Her auburn tresses were swept back into a loose ponytail with only a hint of lip gloss for makeup. She studied me neutrally with those expressive hazel eyes as I walked up. I slowed when a panicked expression flowed across her face and she looked ready to bolt again.
Very slowly I slid in the chair across from her saying, “Hi, I’m Avery. Please don’t leave. I don’t usually frighten people.” I grinned with my most winning smile hoping to put her at ease.
She slowly smiled in return and replied in a hesitant husky voice, “I’m Jeanine. Why did you want to meet me?”
Unused to someone being so straight forward I stammered a moment giving her a puzzled look before replying, “I am not sure. I don’t usually do this. But you are striking and your eyes…”
She glanced up at me shyly, trying to read my expression. Pushing a stray curl behind her ear she nibbled on her lower lip and decided to stay.
We spoke long into the night and much the same for the next several days as well. My friends were leaving me messages everywhere but I only had time for her. I soon realized that I was falling in love with Jeanine. The way she moved so gracefully and the way she played with her curls. The way she would lift her face to the sun with a smile that rivaled it.
The lovely weather stayed with us into the weekend and we drove to the beach. We ran along in the sand and played keep away with the waves. We collapsed on a blanket I had brought and she stretched out in contentment as I started unwrapping our lunch. I realized that she never spoke of her family and I suddenly wanted to know everything about her.
“Jeanine?”
“Hmmm?” she replied with her eyes still closed. I leaned in close feeling the warmth from the sun on her skin. Tracing the neckline of her soft green sweater with my fingers I delicately kissed her lips. Her eyes flew open and she started to tense. I gathered her close and kissed her deeply feeling her relax in my embrace. She made small mewling sounds as she wrapped her arms tightly around my neck pressing into me. I tangled my fingers in her hair as I lifted my head to look in her eyes and suddenly realized they had changed colors. They were a beautiful shade of yellow. My eyes widened in shock as I watched them change back and the sadness that came with it. She moved away and started putting on her shoes as if getting ready to leave. I reached out to capture her hand.
“Wait.” She looked away. “What’s going on?”
Jeanine shook her head silently.
“Please!” She looked over hesitantly and saw not rejection as she thought she would but just bewilderment.
With hope dawning in her face she replied, “I guess I better just show you. Come on.”
We gathered up our few things and drove back to the city. As she gave directions to her home I was suddenly nervous about meeting her family. She laughed at the look on my face, “Don’t worry, it’s just my sister. My parents live in Oregon.” I breathed a small sigh of relief.
We pulled up outside a nondescript rambler somewhere in the northern burbs of Seattle. Hand in hand we walked slowly up to the door, my heart skipping a beat.
“Danny, I’m back. I’ve brought someone home for dinner.” Jeanine yelled as we walked in.
“Oh good, I will be out as soon as I have changed!” I heard the voice from the back of the house.
“It’s ok, Danny. I want him to meet Drew before we eat.” Turning to me Jeanine glanced at my puzzled expression and said, “Drew is my nephew.” She took my both my hands as we walked into the kitchen wrapping my arms around her. She hesitated a moment before moving past the island and led me to the playpen in the center of the family room. Contrary to the rest of the comfortably furnished home, the room was sparsely decorated and had a sterile white tile floor. Moving out of my arms Jeanine stepped aside so I could see, giving me a strangely triumphant look.
I looked down into the playpen where a tiger cub was clutched a sea foam-green teddy bear as it slept. I looked up at Jeanine in surprise, then stared as her beautiful hazel eyes melted into tawny gold with vertical slit pupils like a cat. I could not look away, even as I saw an adult tigress padding into the room from the corner of my eye.
I barely recognized Jeanine's voice through the husky growl as she said, “Wake up Drew, dinner is here...”