More and more, Crystal forgot that they had only met Mikael two days ago. They talked about this and that. She could not remember having enjoyed a conversation that much during the past months - or perhaps years? He knew so much, had visited so many places around the world, and it was very entertaining. They even discovered they had loved the same book in their childhood: 'The Secret Garden' by Burnett; and that they were both Vegetarians…
The time passed, the sun set and Crystal put a candle on the table to provide some light. Not only to save electricity but because she liked it more that way. The tiny flame spread its orange golden light only so far, and plunged the rest of the room in a mysterious but still cozy darkness.
The ringing phone interrupted her. She stood up to take the call, not noticing, how Mikael's gaze followed every single of her movements. Crystal had changed her paint-smeared jeans for a light blue sleeveless cotton dress a while ago. He found her outfit very appealing, to say the least. As far as he had figured out by now, this man with whom she lived here, was absolutely not what she needed. She was starving at his side, and she had just begun to realize that! She was trapped and bound by things she or the world around her thought to be her duty. He had experienced a similar time, before he had discovered art as a means to break the boundaries.
It was Norman who called to say that the car had finally done its last breath halfway back to home. Now it was in a little repair shop and the mechanic wasn't sure yet if he could revive the patient at least for the missing couple of miles. As there was no public transport on this route - except in the next morning - Norman decided to stay there, check in at the Motel, until tomorrow.
"Looks as if destiny is that kind to give us some more hours," Mikael said when she came back with the news. "I am very glad."
Crystal smiled, unsure of what to say. "Maybe I should prepare something to eat. I'm quite hungry," she said and switched the lights on.
"Sounds like a formidable idea. If I'm not mistaken, I see the ingredients of a lovely Ratatouille over there," Mikael agreed.
She took the vegetables out of the basket and cleaned them under the water. Mikael chose a knife from the assortment hanging next to the stove and grabbed the eggplant. Crystal was amazed by the velocity and accuracy with which he cut the slices.
"Wow, that looks like in one of these TV cook shows!"
"Simple practice. I prefer to prepare the meals myself rather than going to a restaurant where you don't know what is in the dishes. And where you have some eager paparazzi at you all the time."
Crystal had taken the green pepper and another knife. Before the tool could touch the vegetable, Mikael's hand sank on hers. "Let me do that. I don't want you get hurt."
His fingers slid away from her hand, caressing her ever so slightly. It was the first time they touched, and she was electrified. Like magically attracted, her gaze wandered up from his slender fingers over his chest to his face and was finally trapped in his smile. Deep inside her, there was suddenly a warning voice. Did he try to seduce her and she fell for it like a stupid chick?! On the other hand, she felt that refreshed and full of energy; she did not want it to end, and sit alone at home with a turtle again!
"Cooking is like artwork," he said, choosing the spices from the board. "You can learn the craft, you have to… but the last bit, the decisive bit making it unique, is the inspiration."
He lifted the cap from the chili box.
"Be careful with that!" She warned. "That's very hot!"
"Oh, I like it hot and spicy."
She blushed and felt like an idiot, given the situation. Nervously, she spread the olive oil in the pan. Looking up again in his eyes, she knew exactly he could read her thoughts. Nonetheless, he didn't seem to be embarrassed at all, not even amused.
"What do you think; shouldn't we finish this wine now while waiting for our dinner?"
"Yes." It was a husky whisper and she cleared her throat. "It doesn't get any better standing here, does it?!"
She filled two glasses and sat down, relieved that the tiny space of the table stretched in between. Suddenly, she felt very shaky. Maybe the alcohol had not been such a good idea. On the other hand… She emptied her glass rather hastily.
…
After finishing the dinner and the wine, they still sat there talking and laughing, until the candle had almost burned down and the remaining light was dwindling fast. When the flame had died, and their eyes had adjusted enough, Mikael discerned the silvery stripe of moonlight on the kitchen floor. He stood up and went to the terrace door.
"Look, it's just as you painted it on the door this afternoon."
He gestured towards the dunes and the see with the full moon shining above. "Let's go for a little walk!"
In the cool breeze with its always adventure yet danger promising scent coming from the water, they walked along the shore barefoot. Now and then, the waves washed over their toes, when they didn't jump aside fast enough. Suddenly, he halted, face turned to the moon.
"For me, the waves of the sea have always been a metaphor for sensuality and sexuality," he said, startling Crystal in her own thoughts. "It's like a kiss, don't you think? The tongue of nature reaching out for you and touching you. Water is the beginning of life and passion! If you close your eyes and open your senses, you can feel the force pulling…"
She lowered her eyelids and breathed deeply. The foam crowns caressed her feet.
"The sea can be quite forceful, and it can be gentle, like love."
Mikael's voice had an almost hypnotically timbre.
Crystal crouched down and watched as the water ran through her fingers and dropped onto the sand, glistering diamonds for a moment, in the next only a wet memory. Suddenly, she longed to see the world with Mikael's eyes, sense the world as he did. Her existence so far seemed dull and flat in comparison.
"I wish I could create something as beautiful and intriguing as you did!" she said. "But I'll never have the opportunity to do any studies… I'm afraid…"
"Studies are not important, they are only useful," he replied. "Important is if you feel the urge to create inside you!"
He sank to his knees right behind her, that close she sensed the heat of his body through her dress. "…If you feel it burn in your heart, and you know nothing will end it until you start to unleash its force…"
She stopped breathing for a moment when his hands closed around her shoulders and then slowly moved down her arms.
"…and make your imagination reality…" His fingers slid in between hers and enclosed her hands tightly. "… and your deepest wishes come true! Do you feel that?"
His voice made her freeze and burn altogether. She could barely speak. "Will you teach me?"
"Everything! Everything you want."
His breath caressed her neck and sent chills down her spine. She knew she was dangerously close to let all caution slip, to give in and make love to him on the nightly beach. Only the last moment she flinched back. "I think we should part now… It is… very late already."
Mikael released her, however reluctantly, and then took her hands for Goodbye. "I'll see you tomorrow in the afternoon for the first lesson?"
She nodded and pulled her hands back in order not to be drawn past the event horizon again. "Good night, Mikael. It was … the most wonderful evening I ever had."
"I can only agree."
He stood there on the beach until her silhouette had vanished behind the bushes leading to her home. Already, he felt lonely.
...
Mikael went to bed after his usual routine, his mind still full of Crystal and the last hours. Lying in the complete darkness he cherished that much, and listening to his breath, he found it quite draining to wait so long before he could see her again. His hands clutched around the silky bed sheets and he stared open-eyed into the blackness. He was still surprised how fast she had conquered him, after all the promises he had made to himself after the disappointment with Hannah. There was nothing he could do about it.
But he could not dream of her. The nightmare was back instead. He was running through narrow, dark corridors. He heard terrifying screams. Suddenly, his hands, his whole body, were covered with blood. He screamed, too, in anguish and pain, finally managing to wake up. Frantically, he pushed the button to heave the jalousies. The light flooded over him with hurting force, but at least the remnants of the dream shattered.
He inhaled deeply, trying to regain control over his body. It took a while until he was able to stand up and walk to the shower. It seemed to get worse with every time these dreams haunted him!
Standing under the cold water, Mikael tried to remember when all this had started. Maybe when I surprised Nick that awful night… He couldn't say it exactly, though. There was this dark barrier again he just was not able to penetrate. The icy coldness of the shower let him slowly feel numb and his head aching. He turned it off, stepped outside, and grabbed the bath towel.
…
At home, Crystal sat in her bed wide awake as well. Had Mikael been right – that she knew what she had to do, and only had to admit the truth to herself? Until now, she had been resolved to give her marriage a second chance. Until now, she had been certain about how life went its way. Now, she wasn't certain anymore about a lot of things. Not even, if it was love at all, what had bound Norman and her together. What was love in any case? How did it feel, really feel? She could read about it in more or less steamy novels, and the theme was rehashed that constantly in talk shows and movies. Well ... it didn't feel that way in reality. Was it her fault or the overactive mind of writers? Was there anything like true love, endless passion? Is it love that I feel for Mikael? But I barely know him. I made a mistake in marrying Norman at 17. And I was sure to love him. I was sure back then…
At a certain point, she was afraid of thinking any further. The guilty conscience sneaked in and gained territory. I'm not 17 anymore. I'm a responsible woman. I'm not a plaything for a rich guy. I'm not stupid. I should skip these art lessons right now! Still, she could not hush away the imagination how it would feel if his hands touched her.
