The Stranger

Dylan was walking down a street downtown. His hands inside the pockets, the head tilted down and the empty look staring at the floor. It was the end of a tough couple of weeks going back and forward with Ellie; he was tired and defeated. He decided to do the only thing he knew on that situation; walk and think, over and over. It was a very familiar situation, one he should have handled better by then; cause it was always the same. He couldn’t figure out the why, so he kept walking without a destination. It was Sunday, there was nowhere to be and no one waiting anyway.

At each step a new thought assaulted. Sometimes he tried to avoid Ellie, but always failed. Some others, he just wanted to feel the pain. Nothing could make him feel better, nothing could make the anger go away. Only four months earlier, she was a total stranger to him, today, he was again a total stranger to her, but he knew everything about her.

Feeling worst with each step, he suddenly felt a small and warm hug to the soul. His attention was pulled across the street, to a stand where a little kid and his mom sold flowers and animals made of paper. The origamis were beautiful, and right in the middle, standing above all, there was a gorgeous Jaguar. The jungle cat was his favorite since he could remember, and the picture brought him memories of his toys and stuffed animals as a kid. Dylan crossed the street decided to buy one, but reaching the stand, he realized he was carrying no cash. The warm feeling faded away; the crude reality kicked back in.

Even more depressed, and led by the growl of his stomach, he stepped inside the place across the street. He went straight to the bar, and before someone could hand him a menu, he ordered a beer with peanuts. He stared blindly to a spot in front of him, waiting.

“That pale has you totally absorbed.” said an unfamiliar voice.

The phrase touched a sore spot violently snapping him out of his trance.

“What? do you know me?” he asked before turning around to identify the speaker.

“What? Why would I know you? I’m just intrigued by the way you stare at that pale ale.” she said frowning and smiling with a finger pointed to the back of the bar.

“OH, that! No, I was just thinking,” he said with a nervous relief. He briefly glanced at the stranger and smiled. “I’m Dylan, by the way.” he said with a last look at her. He looked at the beer he had just received.

The woman looked at him in amusement. She found him cute but weird. After a pause, she asked: “What is that you are thinking so hard?”

“Oh, nothing specific. It’s been a tough week, only that,” he said smiling but without looking at her.

“Well, you don’t need to tell me. But I like you. I’m going to help you make this Sunday a fresh start.” she said.

The stranger raised her hand and asked for the check. She stood up, took her purse, pulled out a bill and left it over the bar. She looked at Dylan and smiled.

“Take your beer and come with me, this one is on me.” She said before walking to the exit without looking back.

Dylan froze not knowing what had just happened. He thought on all possible scenarios until his head ached and made him scream: “Stop!” With a rush of excitement, he pushed himself out of the chair and stormed out of the bar.

As he walked out, the stranger was crossing back the street, storing something inside her purse. She stopped in front of him, smiled and said: “I’m Sam, by the way. You didn’t ask but I wanted you to know.”

“Oh, sorry, I did want to know but I was just… distracted. Nice to meet you, Sam”. He said while his face took a red tone.

A big smile drew on Sam’s face, and she began to walk. Dylan walked by her side in silence. He began to feel dumb and awkward. He opened his mouth, but no words came out. The stranger called, smiled without turning at him and talked.

“So, I’m new here. I just arrived two days ago and today is officially my first day out. My plan is to find a cute local guide to show me around. Preferably someone who drinks and listens to good music, but an absolute must, is someone who knows the real worthwhile stuff here, the museums, buildings, and parks that no ordinary tourist would visit.”

Dylan looked at her with the mouth and eyes wide open. He was mesmerized by the way in which she spoke. A rhythmical sensuality that let her presence be noticed; how smart she was. Each choice of word, pause and pronunciation showed a personality that made him feel naked with the clothes on. It felt good, really good. He had always been shy and scared, but deep down he always craved adventure and adrenaline, the type that didn’t put his life on risk. He kept watching her speak, not paying much attention to what she said, but smiling and nodding anyway. He waited for her to finish while a rush of confidence covered his body. She suddenly stopped with what appeared to be a question, but he didn’t answer. Instead, he looked forward and said: “Just follow me.”

The sun was setting. The place started to paint with a crimson tone. The day was ending, but for Dylan, the best day in years was just beginning. They went to underground museums that were open at that time. They walked on the hidden alleys where the street art was on showcase no entrance fee. A secret jazz place where old folks gathered to smoke and play checkers became Sam’s favorite stop, until they went to a small bar under a burger restaurant where live rock played.

After many hours, when the crickets and drunkards where the only sounds left on the ambience, they walked ten streets up to reach a mustard-yellow building. His confidence and happiness were still at their max, so he didn’t hesitate. She turned and said: “This is me.”

He stepped forward closing all distance between them and kissed her. After an eternal instant, she pulled back, smiled, bit her lips, and took something out of her purse.

“This is for you. I was waiting to see if you were the right guide. You are.”

On her open palm, a paper Jaguar stood at Dylan’s awe. He took the paper animal, trying to hold the tremble on his hands and the water on his eyes. He tried to speak but choked. After some mumbling, she put her finger on his mouth and said: “You’re welcome. Come.”

They talked for hours. They laughed, played, and made love. Sam fell asleep, but Dylan stayed awake. He watched her, while reliving in his mind the conversations they had. He looked for his phone on the small table next to the bed, and the paper Jaguar caught his attention. He grabbed it and stared with the wider smile he could remember. Sam woke up, and still half asleep asked: “Do you like it?”

“I love it. It’s my favorite. I mean my favorite animal. I always wanted to be a biologist and study them in the wild or maybe take care of them in a zoo.” He replied.

“You should. I can tell that you desperately need to follow you dreams, that’s why you feel so lost,” she said. She closed her eyes and rested her head on his shoulder.

“I’m no longer lost, you found me,” he said. But there was no further reply.

It was 9:43 AM. Dylan woke up by the noise of stuff moving around and doors opening and closing. He couldn’t recognize where he was until Sam’s voice said in a tender tone: “I’m sorry to wake you up like this, but I have an appointment at 10:30… If you want you can take a shower and eat something, just close the door when you leave.”

He felt confused, but the smile could not go away from his face. He jumped out of the bed, put his clothes on and helped her organize. As she put her make up on, while eating a toast and glancing at her phone every three seconds, Dylan decided the best was to leave. He wrote his number on a piece of paper and approached her. He took the toast from her mouth, gave her a kiss, and while she still had her eyes closed, put the paper on her hand and said: “Thanks for everything, stranger. Call me.” He turned around and left without looking back.

The magic and happiness of that incredible day slowly diluted and started to become a bitter feeling. The anxiousness, fear, and anger slowly took over Dylan’s body. Five days passed, but she didn’t call or texted. He first thought she must have been busy figuring out her new live, but he couldn’t stop thinking about the amazing day they had; how could it be that she didn’t want to live the same thing again, immediately? But the days passed, and the positive feelings became a blurry memory from a distant past, he couldn’t tell if it had been an illusion, a dream or reality.

It was Sunday, exactly two weeks after meeting her. Dylan decided to get some answers, any. A car stopped in front of a yellow mustard building, and Dylan got out of from the back door facing the walkway. On his right hand he held a paper flowers bouquet. Between the arm and his body, a bottle of wine. He looked up and took a deep breath with the eyes closed, and after second, stepped forward. He looked for her name on the ring bells but couldn’t find it. He couldn’t remember the number on her door, they were kissing so those details never recorded. As he was starting to get desperate, a woman about his same age opened the door. She smiled and said: “Aww… Looking for someone? Come on in”.

He thanked the stranger with a shy smile and rushed inside. He wanted to run but realized it would seem suspicious, so he walked up the stairs as fast as physically possible. When he finally reached the floor and walked towards the door halfway the hall, he saw a piece of paper on it. He could see his name on it, so he approached and pulled it off to read:

“Dear Dylan,

I’m so sorry I never called or texted you. I am also sorry that I didn’t tell you everything that night, I was having such a great time and I didn’t want to ruin it. I wanted us to just enjoy the moment and have it for the rest of our lives. There always was a big possibility that I had to leave very soon. I know, I just moved in, but I’m on the pursuit of my dream job, I’ve been for the last two years. I have been moving in and out from different cities, with the intention to know a bit more of my own country, because I knew that sooner or later, I would receive the call and leave everything behind. Well, I received the call the same day we said goodbye. I tried to call you and explain everything, but I just didn’t want to spoil that perfect memory. I know it’s selfish and I know you rightfully hate me, but I figured you would come to visit one last time and read this. You really were the perfect guide for the night, and I will always remember you with a smile. I hope you give yourself the chance to pursuit your dream and stop waiting for a stranger to find you, you are the only one who can find yourself.

Kisses, your stranger.”

He wrinkled the paper and threw it to the floor. He wanted to rage, but the anger only lasted few seconds, he was too weak to be angry. He felt a huge hole on his chest, worse than he had ever felt before. He leaned on the door and slowly dropped to the floor, grabbing his hair, staring into the void. He noticed the little paper jaguar sitting on the floor between his legs. He picked it up and stared at it. He started laughing involuntarily, but he also felt warm again, a recently familiar feeling. He looked at the wrinkled letter next to him and laughed even more. Tears purred out of his eyes. He took his phone out, opened the browser, and typed: “Jaguar refuge volunteering.”

by Iván Plouganou

image by http://www.origamix.cl