A Visit From Louis

Word count 300

A Visit From Louis

         Louis’ scent preceded his arrival, wafting around me in a perfumed embrace.

         “Bonjour Louis.”

         “Ma petite, you knew it was me?”

         I turned from the window. “You always smell delicious.”

         “Merci.” He bowed, then glided toward me.

         “You’re looking thinner these days. Are you alright?”

         “Oui. It has been too long since we have been together, one cannot remain unchanged Annette.”

         “True. Why have you come?” I crossed to the settee, beckoning him to sit.

         “I missed seeing your impertinent look.”

         I laughed. “I’ve missed you. No one makes me laugh as you do. I wish you were here every day, life would be happier with your forays into comedy.”

         “You wish only comedy?”

         “You know I don’t. It’s just you make life more vital when you’re here. You are my life Louis. I cannot stand to be alone, separated from you has become unbearable.”

         “What if it were no longer unbearable?”

         “I can’t foist my affections on someone new. We had a life together that I’ve always desired, there can be no one else. You left.”

         Louis’ hand caressed my face with a wisp of a touch. “Annette, you know I had no control over that situation. That fate was decided.”

         “Then why tempt me with your appearance? Why not stay away?”

         “Ma petite, you wish me to never return?”

         Tears filled my eyes. “No, I want you with me forever.”

         “This is why I have returned. I needed to hear those words from you.”

         “What words?”

         “That you wish to spend eternity together. We will have one chance.”

         “Chance?”

         “Tonight we can alter fate. We can remain together through eternity if you die—tonight.”

         I gazed around the room we’d shared until twenty years ago, then, to my dead lover’s shimmering image, begging me to join him.

         “Annette?”