"I'm sorry, Dominique. No one deserves to be treated like that. And thank you for telling me. The other night you did not wish to discuss it. I would like to think we can get to know each other better as time goes on."
"Yeah, maybe you can tell me about your family tree sometime. You said you looked like your however many great grandfathers. I would love to see that picture. It must be old if it's from the time period you say. I didn't even think they took pictures back then."
"It's a portrait that an artist painted of him and his wife. Their two children are in the picture. I believe it is the last portrait ever taken of them as the younger child was merely a baby when he died."
"Wow. That's old then. How did you get it?"
"It's a family heirloom. I have had it for a long time. It has been cleaned a few times over the years, but that is it. I take good care of it. It would not be considered a priceless work of art since I'm sure a famous artist did not do it, but the sentimental value makes it priceless to me at least."
"That's really sweet."
"So, are your parents still alive?"
"No. They were involved in a car wreck when I was 18. I kind of think that's why I clung to Tim so hard. I met him not long after my parents died. I was in a very vulnerable state, and he was so sweet. I really didn't want to talk to him at first, but Melissa got his number from him and gave it to me. And, of course, she gave him mine without my permission. I was actually furious about that at first."
"What does she think of me?" I asked, knowing full well what she thought of me.
"I don't think she has an opinion of you yet. She wouldn't give you my phone number if you asked for it. Never again will she do that."
"So, you will give me your number then?"
"Are you asking me for it? Or just assuming that I'll give it to you?"
"We're friends now, aren't we? So why wouldn't you give your friend your number?"
"You're funny. Do you have something to write it down with?"
I handed her my phone and asked her to put her number in it. Once she put her information in and handed me the phone back, I sent her a text message so that she had my number as well. I was pleased with how well everything was going. I was asking routine questions that a person that didn't know Dominique would ask. I thought I was doing pretty well with not giving myself away.
"You texted me already?" Dominique laughed.
"Yes. Now you have my number if you decide to use it. Or if you need to let me know something about the band."
Dominique nodded. "I appreciate it. But let me ask. If you work all day, when would I actually be able to text you?"
"You can text me whenever you would like. I may not always be able to answer, but I will text you back when I can. Do you not like to talk on the phone? Texts are so impersonal."
"I don't usually talk on the phone unless I have to. So I won't call you, but I will talk to you if you call me."
"I'll keep that in mind. So, what do you do during the day?"
"Sleep mostly. I'm a total night owl. I've always loved being out at night under the stars. So I stay here until early in the morning, and when I go home, I sometimes stay up until it's almost dawn. Then I sleep, get up for a while, and either write or tinker around the house. Then I take a nap and come to work."
"I love the nights when there is a slight breeze, and it's just warm out, not terribly hot. I was outdoors a lot when I was younger. I know you couldn't tell it now from my pale complexion, but I used to be much darker than I am now."
"You aren't that pale," Dominique laughed. "Not like me. I'm pretty fair-skinned for having such dark hair. Not ghost-white, but still."
I laughed, and she smiled. But then, it seemed like she had drifted away from our conversation and me. So I gave her a few minutes before I spoke again.
"You seem to have drifted away somewhere. Do you do that a lot when you are talking to someone?"
"I'm sorry. I didn't before. Lately, I have been having some really messed up things going on. My ex showing up triggered some things for me. I don't think I am handling it very well. I seriously thought my past was behind me."
I was unhappy that Tim was trying to get back into Dominique's life. Dominique was mine, and I didn't want to fight for her affection. I had been planning this out too long for him to get in my way now. I watched her as she began to play with the necklace around her neck.
"One day, I am going to have to know what the importance of your necklace is. I know, I know, it's off-limits. I remember. Let's move to another subject. This one seems to make you uncomfortable. You said music was a big part of your life. What type of music do you like?"
"Types with an S. I love all kinds of music. I don't particularly care for bluegrass or classical. I listen to oldies, soft rock, a little hard rock, rap, r & b, pop, and country. It isn't really what type of music it is. It's what about it speaks to me."
"I must say that I love that answer. I often find that if something speaks to you, you should continue doing it. Or, in your case, listen to it. Do you write songs? It seems you would write songs if you write stories and love music so much."
"I don't write songs. I can listen to music and put a few lyrics with it but not enough to really make a song. I guess I don't know how to put feelings into a three-minute song. Do you write as well as play?"
"No. I just enjoy the music. I love to feel the guitar in my hands and feel the vibrations as I play. The music drums through my body as I play. My wife used to hum a lot. It was never anything that played. She just simply hummed, and it always sounded.....whimsical in a way."
"It's amazing what music can do, isn't it?"
"Yes, I must agree."
"Well, Nathaniel, it has been great chatting with you and getting to know you better. However, I have to attend to some things as we get ready to close down. I'll see you Thursday?" Dominique asked.
"Yes, I'll see you then."
I stood up when Dominique did, and I took her hand, kissing it. Then, I went and got my guitar. I left the club as Dominique took care of her customers and checked on her staff to ensure everything was going okay. I went straight to my parking spot and down into the woods. That's where I waited for the next few hours.
When Dominique arrived, she sat on her porch. This seemed to be her favorite place to be. I watched as she put on music and sat back in her chair. I wished I could hear her thoughts since she seemed to be deep in them.
However, I know that lying with her at night was dangerous as she would begin to stir near sunrise, almost as if she knew I was getting ready to leave. Sometimes she dreamed, which caused her to kick and punch, but it didn't bother me. I moved closer until I could tell she had fallen asleep. Once again, I picked her up and took her inside to her bedroom.
I laid down beside her and took her into my arms. I relished in her warmth. Tonight, she cuddled into me. Usually, she didn't. This was a new development that I absolutely loved. I kissed the top of her head as I held her tight to me, and she wrapped her arm around me.
I laid there until I felt dawn coming, and I had to go. I kissed her lips and told her I would see her later. This is what I hated the most about the dawn. I wanted to be able to move faster and be with her sooner, but I knew I had to be patient. I kept pushing every other time, and it hadn't worked out. This time I was going to take my time and make Dominique fall in love with me so she would always choose me.
I went home and awaited the day. I had to figure out how to get Dominique to see that she belonged with me. She had to know I was there, or she wouldn't begin to hold me like she did tonight. Didn't she feel that she belonged to me? I laid down not to wake up until dusk.