The Touch: On Fire

As the last notes faded, I found myself wiping my eyes. Dear Lord, thank you. That was exactly what I needed. Beside me, Jim was stretching and reaching for Grace’s harness. He looked somehow younger; maybe it was those cloudy eyes. I wondered what their actual color was. And why I thought it mattered.

“What did you think?”

“It was powerful.” Even as I said that, I knew the words weren’t right, but I couldn't really describe it in any other way. It was so...intense. “They… put a lot of passion into that last song.”

He grinned. “So did you.”

"Oh. Erm, thanks." I pulled at my bracelet, not sure what to think. All around us, people began to filter out - I could see an old couple amongst them, holding each others' hands. It was a rather endearing sight, and I half began to wonder if I would ever find someone like that. It was then that he spoke up.

"Do you wanna go somewhere?"

"Huh? Oh...yeah, right. Um..."

"I feel a bit hungry. Wanna come to dinner with me?"

I couldn't help laughing all of a sudden. He was being so casual about it, I couldn't do anything else. "Isn't that a little forward? I mean, since this is our first outing and all..."

“I don't think anyone will mind, do you? Come on. I know this great pizza place just down the block.”

As soon as he mentioned pizza, I could feel my stomach rumbling. He grinned as I blushed. "Erm. Sure?"

"Come on."

**

Mr. Gardner was only too happy to drive us. He gave me a wink as he deftly slipped a ten-dollar bill into Jim’s pocket, and then we piled out of the van, Grace in the lead. I found myself bouncing along with the others, humming the chorus to "On Fire".

Grace's eyes went to mine. As if trying to talk, she half-opened her mouth. All that came out, though, was a yawn. I glanced at my new watch - almost nine-thirty.