"Where did you take this one?"
"Silent Hill. It's the church in the old part of town. Something about it caught my eye that day."
They were sitting on the couch in their new front room. The contents of Henry's portfolio were spread out over the large coffee table.
"It's lovely. I like the proportions of the spire and the building here, the way it goes up and up and makes you think it never ends."
"See? You have an eye for this."
"Thanks. How about that one?"
"Silent Hill again, later that day. I saw this bicycle just leaning against a parking meter."
"It looks so alone. Makes me wonder where the person who owns the bicycle is, and if he or she is coming back for it."
"That's what I intended! You see it too! Hang on...just a minute...here it is. This is one of my favorites. It's a view of Toluca Lake..." He reached across her to point out a detail on the picture.
Eileen smiled. He was engrossed in his pictures. He was more animated than she'd seen him, and his happiness shone. He's really found his calling. These are wonderful images...he'd take great pictures of anything...she envied him his creativity, his feel for his art.
He was talking.
"...would you mind?"
"I'm sorry, what did you say?"
"Would you mind if I took your picture on your balcony?"
"Oh," Eileen said. She blushed just a little. "Of course not."
Henry grinned. "It'll be a great picture, I'm sure."
"I wonder..."
"What?" He stopped sorting through the contents of his bag.
"Speaking of tourist brochures...what would Silent Hill put on theirs?"
He laughed. "Good question. I'll have to ask old man Widmark one of these days."
"What could they say? 'Silent Hill. Come lose yourself in our fog.'"
"Literally. 'You'll never want to leave. You may not be able to once our demons get a hold of you.'"
"Heh. 'And once our quaint local cult sucks you in, you'll be here forever.'"
"'Silent Hill. Won't you?'"
They both fell back on the couch, laughing.
Eileen suddenly felt the day catch up to her. She stood up. "If you don't mind, I'm going to head up now."
Henry closed the portfolio. "I'll walk up with you." He followed her up the stairs.
At the top, they stopped at Eileen's door.
"Thanks for a wonderful evening," Eileen said.
"You took me out to dinner. I think that's my line."
"I loved seeing your photographs."
"I loved showing them to you."
They stood awkwardly for a moment. Then, Eileen leaned forward and hugged Henry. After a moment, he returned the embrace.
They clung to each other like two children. Henry's hands rubbed her back, and she felt his soothing warmth through her sweater. She laid her head on his shoulder.
"God, what a couple of days," she said.
Henry laughed. "No kidding. Are you going to steal my clothes again tomorrow morning?"
"Nah. You've got too many for that now. Too much work."
She raised her head, and met his eyes.
"Henry...I..."
He lifted a hand to brush her hair back from her face.
"Sssh," he said. She bit her lip.
"Stay with me, Henry. Please."
Henry's hand stopped. "Are you sure?"
"No, not like that. I...I just don't want to be alone tonight."
Henry nodded. "Neither do I. Go change...I'll be right back."
She changed into her nightshirt and pajama pants, and washed her face before getting into bed. She heard the bathroom door close, then open, then a knock at her door.
Henry wore a T-shirt and shorts, again. He locked the door, and moved toward the small chair in the corner of her room. Eileen shook her head. She reached for his hand, and pulled him to her. He slid into bed beside her and put his arm around her. They sat looking at the moonlight glistening on the lake.
"Thank you, Henry."
"Thank you, Eileen."
"I didn't want to be alone."
"Neither did I."
"I don't know if I can stand it at night."
"Or during the day."
"Or during the day."
She turned her face up to him, and he smiled at her. He leaned down to her, and their lips met. They sank into each other, and her hand came up to run through his thick hair.
Sparks, fireworks, electricity. The Fourth of July. A clap of lightning in a warm summer storm. This is what has been missing, she thought. He pulled her tightly to him, and she relaxed into his embrace. His mouth was warm and his lips were soft. His hair was wiry, but it flowed like silk in her fingers. The thrill of him ran through her entire body.
Eventually, they came up for air. He leaned his head back to breathe, and she rested her head on his shoulder. His hand came up to her cheek, and his thumb wiped away the small tear that ran from her eye.
"Are you OK?" he asked softly.
She smiled up at him. He gathered her into his arms again, and they sat in silence in the moonlight until they gradually drifted off to sleep.