A/N: I know…I'm supposed to be writing the next chapter of Payback, but the Holiday rush and my boss' trial schedule have taken a big bite out of my playtime. Anyway, I thought of this short story while stuck in traffic listening to this –one of my fav Depeche Mode songs.
DRESSED IN BLACK
Bobby stood in his bedroom, inspecting and scrutinizing himself in the full-length mirror mounted on the back of the door. He expertly tied his tie, making a perfect knot, going through the motions without even being aware of what his fingers were doing. His tie was the last thing on his mind. Instead, his brain ran amok –full of memories of what had happened just 11 days ago, and imagination of what he hoped was to come later tonight.
It had started long ago, this infatuation-bordering-on-obsession with his partner. Yes. Long ago –when he'd first seen her in that blue dress.
And this past Christmas Eve, she was festively dressed in red. Vibrant red, with twinkling rhinestones that almost matched the twinkle in her eyes. But not quite. She'd never looked more radiant and happy.
But it was on New Year's Eve –when she was dressed in black –that he knew he had to have her.
They had talked and laughed and danced the night away in a wonderful whirlwind fanned by champagne. Lots of champagne. Their mutual New Year's Resolution was a promise to one another that this year would be a great one for them; things that haunted them and drove a wedge between them over the past two years would be just that: "the past." This was a New Year. A new beginning.
He waited all night for that damn shimmering ball to drop at Times Square. What better excuse to kiss her? He was thankful for the overabundance of the bubbly alcohol they'd enjoyed all evening. What better excuse for the way he wanted to kiss her –all consuming, tasting, devouring, claiming her as his own. If things didn't turn out the way he hoped –if she didn't reciprocate, he'd just apologize and blame his behavior on the champagne. An easy out.
The countdown began; slowly, the ball dropped, second by second, until the stroke of midnight arrived. Right on cue, they kissed. And when he realized that her passion matched his own, he knew that 2008 would, indeed, be a wonderful year for them.
X X X
He started the SUV and began running the heat, so it'd be warm by the time he picked her up.
Ordinarily, he wouldn't be thrilled at having to give up a Saturday night –being forced by the Department to attend one of the Mayor's Ball's, but tonight was different. It afforded them another opportunity to dress up and he had, in fact, requested that she wear the dress again.
He put the CD into the player, skipping to the track he wanted, and pulled out of his parking space as the haunting melody filled the air.
She's dressed in black again My mind wanders endlessly As a picture of herself Dressed in black again Shadows fall onto me Dressed in black again
And I'm falling down again
Down to the floor again
I'm begging for more again
But oh what can you do
When she's dressed in black
On paths where she's leading me
With games that she likes to play
And words that she doesn't say
Not when whe're alone
And she's dressed in black
She's a picture of the world
A reflection of you
A reflection of me
And it's all there to see
If you only give in
To the fire within
As she stands there over me
And waits to encompass me
I lay here helplessly
But oh what can you do
When she's dressed in black
X X X
He smiled when she opened the door. He loved her in that black dress. He loved her even more out of it.
THE END
Credit to:
Depeche Mode
Album: Black Celebration
Song: Dressed in Black