There's something about how the moon glows and the stars dance across the sky that lights me up. When the streets are empty and the wind sings my name, I do a dance and I ring my bells.
On this night I wear my usual outfit, filled with colors and sparkles. My toe curled shoes dance with a ring, and the streetlights illuminate my path. As I danced, my hair flew around me, refused to be captive much like my spirit.
Across the street in a diner, much like every other one. Nothing special, blending in to the gray mass of society, perched by a few birds and filled by strangers. There sat a man, ordering another tasteless dinner, followed by another wasted night. Though tonight brought a suprise, he turned to look out the windows from his booth, the one he gots most nights. Only expecting those few streetlights and the thin fog that has settled over the parking lot. Instead, twinkles catch his eye, turning to look there is a girl skipping along the street, headed to the unknown. Twirls and jumps keep his eyes stuck, captivated by the display. Entranced by the freedom this one soul inhabits, like without a care in the world.
How long has it been since he has seen something this beautiful. Hair flowing and twirling in the wind, nothing to hold it back much like the woman the hair belongs to. Its like a pull, something he can't ignore, i mean, who can. Like a tether, he is pulled to the body that dances across his mind and slides along the pavement. Coming closer, he sees that she's a clown? A jester? Something bright and sparkly, with curled toes and bells, bells that ring out in excitement. Her face covered in bright colors, red lips, lines and shapes on her eyes and cheeks, covered in a makeup that doesnt hide her beauty but instead highlights the soft features. The rhythm matches the pounding in his chest, for who was he to come talk to a strange clown in the middle of the street at the witching hour. But the spell those little bells ring out was far too much to resist.
"Miss, ma'am, um, do you need anything a ride, maybe?" His voice barely raised enough to hear him, not to spook the lady that has yet to notice him. She turns around quickly with a jump, not of fright as you would expect, but instead, a wide smile graces her lips. "Maybe," she says with a giggle, walking backward into the dark.
Does he follow? Dive into the unknown, prepare for an adventure that he never thought he would take? To thrust himself into wonderment and creativity? That's what he came out here to do, might as well. He walks along, following her shadow. She comes next to him, dancing around in circles. "Why do you wonder so far off the path?" She asks suddenly. He thinks to himself how they have been following a path this whole time, been on the pavement step after step. A branch snaps, causing his attention to snap down, not pavement but dirt. When did they come this far?
When he looks up again, she is gone, out of sight. But certainly not out of mind. He spins in a circle, trying to see where she has gone or where he is at. Down the dirt path, he sees some light, not knowing what to do at this point, he follows. The closer he gets, the closer the light becomes turning into many, turning into a small house with overgrown vines and trees and flowers all around. She stands at the door, hair flowing down her back and shoulders, bells still ringing slightly. "Now that you followed me here, would you like a cup of tea?" She asks. He goes and sits while she turns into the kitchen.
I laugh to myself while at my cabinets, searching for some lemon ginger tea, my favorite. This hasn't happened before. Should I have invited a stranger into my home? Probably not, but when he came out of that diner, he looked lost. His eyes filled with curiosity and need, his little question, wondering if I needed help. Like he wasn't the one screaming for it. Eyes glazed over, he followed me all the way, down the pavement, along the dirt path, and now into my home, on my couch waiting for the tea I made.
I come back with two cups, setting on in his hands. I sit across from him, crossing my legs, making my fluffy patterned dress ride up my thighs. Those wide glassy eyes follow the dress, making their way up to my eyes. A small smile graces his lips when he has realized I've been watching. "Why are you dressed that way?" He asks suddenly. "Why did you follow me?" I retort
He clears his throat and looks away, maybe trying to find the reason. "You looked so beautiful and free, I wanted to know what it was like." He swallows the tea loudly, pulling back slightly. The tea is never anyone else's first choice. "Then come be free with me" I say while getting up. I set me tea down and go into the garden. The moon bathing us in silver light, guiding me into a trance set upon by the melody of the night. My hips sway and I lean into the soft air, letting it kiss my cheeks ever so softly.
"I don't know how," he whispers next to me. Those wide pleading eyes once again looking for answers and adventure. My hands go to his face, his stubble scratching my palms, he face leans against my fingers. " I'll show you," I whisper against his lips before slowly pressing them against mine. I pull away and let my hands wonder down to his plain black shirt, matched with his plain blue jeans and his plain shoes. "How do you ever expect to be free when you are dressed like this?" I ask in a whisper.
My hands go to his arms, raising them over his head, my fingers trail down to the hem of his shirt pulling it off of him. My nails rake over his chest, not enough force to cause marks but enough to send a shiver through his body. A body built by life, built by challenges and pain, built by experiences and trials. Though I wonder if it's had a chance to be built by kindness, creativity, wonder, or even excitement.
"Do you know what happens when you follow a jester through the woods?" I ask. He shakes his head slowly but never takes those needy eyes off of me.
