Between Strangers

Advancing slowly
With tentative steps
Looking through the hotel lobby foyer
Onto the busy street just beyond the lot
Her hazel eyes didn't see much
The architecture lonely in the distance
Gazing into a mirror near the front desk
Instead
Her body erect, lengthy
Long legs, high breasted
Slender hands and graceful feet
She wore two shades of taupe
To accent her eyes
Auburn curls peeked out from under her hat and her more - than - red lipstick
Enhanced her full lips.
The plink plink plinking of the hotel clerk on the computer and the ring ring ringing of the phone interrupted her thoughts
For a moment
That she didn't recognize the six foot man
When he walked in
Tan sunglasses covering his eyes
Smooth hairless scalp
He walked with a noticeable limp
One leg longer than the other
As he gazed in her direction
She only nodded a provincial hello
Because when she extended her hand
For a more formal hello
Dotted flakes of cigarette ash
Jumped out to greet her
Tightening her lips together
She coughed a little.
Her pleading eyes frantic
She kneaded the handbag slung over her
Shoulder
And without thinking
With her voice visibly shaking
She looked up to him
With his ingratiating smile
And she knew even though they were just meeting
For the first time
She knew they were going to get along
Just fine