Meeting of Moments

She began to slow her half-running pace as she hurried through the darkening evening across the well-manicured lawn. Her breath came in sobbing gasps as the green trimmed lawn and sidewalks crossed under her feet, and she brought her wet hands again up to her face to press against her stinging, red eyes. Rubbing at her betraying eyes angrily, she shoved away the tears that just wouldn't stop. Her pace slowed even further as the brick buildings behind her retreated into the not-quite-night and her breath began to slow and return to a hiccuping normal pace. Blinking hard several times, she noticed as she came to a stop that the lights from the buildings behind her were further than she'd expected. She hesitated, as if pondering where to go from here. Not back. That was the only thing she could think. Turning once again away from the signs of civilization behind her, she continued walking forward at a more measured pace than before, only occasionally needing to clear the moisture from her eyes now.

As she walked, her knees shook visibly, but she had her teeth set as if determined not to fall. Whatever energy had pushed her this far had clearly left her now, but she kept moving into the now-dark night towards the treeline she could see in the distance. The grass became wilder and weeds clipped at her stockings as she walked. She gazed forward intently as she went, though it was clear she could see nothing more than a short ways ahead of her. There was nothing to see.

Wait. There. She rubbed her eyes one more time and squinted. A glimmer of light seemed to be coming from the ground a little ways ahead of her and to the right. She moved towards the elusive light. So intent on the sliver of light, she almost bumped headfirst into the wall that suddenly appeared in front of her. Her quivering knees did give at this surprise, and she dropped to the ground. A second look showed that the wall she had bumped into was in fact made of cloth. The side of a tent or some such she guessed. It seemed the sliver of light she'd been following was coming from a flap of some kind. An entrance perhaps?

Distracted from the cacophony of her thoughts, she now noticed music of some kind accompanied by occasional voices coming from the tent. Curious now, she pushed up to hands and knees and crawled towards the flap. Lifting it slightly and poking her head through, the music became suddenly loud and she blinked against the sudden light. Shielding her eyes against the glare she looked around.

The light came from artificial torches in sconces around the tent, which was larger than she'd expected. Crude benches were arrayed in rows across the tent, as if to seat an audience for the wooden stage set up on one end of the tent. The stage was the source of the music; a small folk band was playing happy tunes on strings, accordion, drums and woodwinds. Perhaps a score of people were arrayed in clusters on the benches closest to the stage, laughing and talking. As her eyes surveyed the crowd, her heart suddenly stopped. There, almost right in front of her, was a face she recognized well.

As she stared, the object of her fascination noticed her. His eyes widened and a smile broke out on his face as he recognized her. She suddenly was aware of what a silly picture she must present: head poking through the tent flap at knee height. He didn't seem to notice that as he got up and went to her, pulling her up and onto the bench nearest them.

"Hey you! What are you doing out here?" he questioned, smile growing, as he sat down next to her. She had no words suddenly. Her traitorous eyes suddenly filled, and she found herself crying uncontrollably as she threw her head down onto his lap. Though she couldn't see it, his eyes grew wide with surprise and uncertainty for a moment, before he softened and laid his hand on her head, caressing her hair comfortingly.

"Heeeey... What's wrong? Are you okay?" he asked softly. She just lay there in answer, her tears still falling quietly. He continued stroking her hair, looking down at her, seeming content to wait. Moments passed by, the band continued playing their songs, and no one else in the tent seemed to have noticed her arrival nor her present condition. Presently, she slid her arms around his waist and held tight for a minute. Then she let go and sat herself up, sliding her hands over her eyes and keeping her head down.

"I'm- I'm okay. I just- I don't know what happened there, sorry. " He laughed at this.

"Oh, c'mon, nothing to be sorry about." He tousled her hair affectionately, "It's what I do."

She gave a short laugh and grinned, seeming surprised at herself. Nodding, she sniffed and turned towards him, wrapping her arms in a chokehold around his neck. There was an uncomfortable moment where he didn't seem to know what to do with his arms before he cautiously hugged her back. Concern and uncertainty were written across his face. She turned up and finally looked him in the eye.

"I'm okay, really. Thanks." she said, giving him a real smile. The worry vanished from his face and was replaced by a relieved grin. Suddenly, he grabbed her around the waist and pulled her up into his lap. This act elicited a cry of surprise and a laugh from her and she pulled away from him, still keeping her arms circling his neck.

"Music's good huh?" he commented at her newly heightened position. She laughed again, just now noticing the folk band up front seemed to be playing some Irish reel or jig that most of the other audience members were clapping to.

"Hey, it is good actually. What are you doing out here anyways? I haven't seen you in... well, it's been awhile." she noted, looking more serious. His face broke into another impish grin.

"This is where I live. I sit here and wait for random girls to fall on me. It's not much but it's a living." She burst into laughter again at this, and punched him softly.

"Man, you always did make me laugh! You're an idiot, you know that?" She smiled at him, able to look him almost in the eye. He chuckled back at her and she noticed as his eyes changed slightly. Suddenly, he surprised her by reached back behind her head and pulled her to him, kissing her softly. She stiffened in surprise, but then tightened her hold on him and kissed back.

He held the kiss for what seemed like hours before letting her go. She re-opened her eyes, not realizing she had closed them, and looked at him. He looked dazed, but he broke into a tentative smile as she watched. His eyes seemed to be searching for a response from her, so she gave him a huge smile and hugged him tightly. He laughed jubilantly, and pulled her close for another quick, definitive kiss before letting her go completely.

"Really good music, huh?" he commented, grinning madly. She laughed hard, unable to stop smiling and laughing. He laughed again for a moment, and then stood up, grabbing her hands and pulling her up with him. She spun for a moment before he caught her and held her upright.

"C'mon. Let's get you back." He turned towards the flap of the tent, leaving one arm around her shoulders, and gently pulled her towards the entrance. As she was guided back out into the night, all she could hear was the sounds of rollicking music and laughter fading wonderfully into the distance behind her, leaving no room for the now barely-remembered rioting emotions that had brought her here. His warm arms around her, she couldn't help continuing to smile as she stepped back out into the now-welcoming night.