Moonlit Window

Varia wasn’t used to being in the village at night. She had to rely on streetlights and the moon to guide her way. Chimneys puffed out smoke and somewhere a family was listening to holiday music. She found herself on a familiar street and stopped on the corner.

The lights were out in the tailor’s shop, but she could see the store’s proprietor walking around in the apartment above. This moment of voyeurism was uncharacteristic and rather unbecoming of a lady like herself, but Varia couldn’t look away. The tailor’s shadow passed across the curtains as she moved from room to room. Every so often, her tail would swish too close to the fabric, giving Varia a small taste. Varia imagined what she might be doing in there. A simple chore, like mopping or laundry. Or perhaps she was dancing. What kind of music did the tailor listen to? Varia’s mind wandered until the object of her affection showed her lovely face.

She stepped out onto the bedroom balcony, giving Varia a glimpse at the apartment within. The tailor beat the rug against the metal and dust drifted down onto the sidewalk below, like an angel’s first attempt at snow. The moon illuminated her face, eyebrows drawn close together, her rose petal lips a thin line of determination. Varia wished she could draw her a steaming bath, then lean against the tub and listen to her woes.

A breeze picked up, fluttering the curtains and the tailor’s thin nightgown. Varia shivered and stepped closer to the wall, hopeful it would block the wind. Her movements must have drawn the tailor’s attention, because her head suddenly snapped to Varia’s exact location. They locked eyes. She had blown it, now she could never show her face on this street again. But the tailor smiled. She beaconed for Varia to come closer, then disappeared from the balcony. Hesitantly, Varia approached the door. The light turned on in the stairwell, then she heard the turning of the lock. There she was. So close Varia could smell the wine on her breath. The tailor wrapped a hand around Varia’s wrist, then pulled her inside.

***

Varia sat down on the back porch to watch the ocean. The cool, salty air felt good on her skin. She glanced down at the mug she held in her hands. Her finger traced the hand painted flowers and she thought of the tailor and the dream she had had last night. It was so unlike her. She had read romance novels for years, but never before had she actually felt anything reminiscent of romance. And she knew the townspeople hated her family. The tailor was probably just being friendly because she felt bad for her. The other store owners wouldn’t even thank her when she bought their wares. Still, the gift was a gesture Varia’s heart was having trouble overlooking. The big “what if” whispered in her head, louder than the crashing waves.