Blissful Silence

With trembling hands, Rosanna brushed the thin strands of her auburn hair off her face. The morning sun glared through the open window as she lay in bed, chest heaving and mind racing from the nightmare. Through emerald eyes, she stared at the ceiling as she realized it’d been over two weeks since the dream had last haunted her. She’d almost thought it gone for good. Closing her eyes tight, she remembered how, six months ago, a typical day had turned into the reoccurring nightmare.

Her office job was to file paperwork and she was proud of herself. This was the first job she had been able to hold down for two months straight. Usually, her fear of people drove her to do crazy things, like scream when her phone rang or start crying when someone spoke to her. For the last four months she’d seen a psychiatrist twice a week and finally she was acting normally, for the most part.

It was Friday, the day that all workers strive for, except for her. She dreaded Fridays and the so-called happy hour. It was a ritual; her coworkers went to the club down the street for a few drinks and dancing. Every Friday, they invited her and every time, she declined.

As five o’clock rolled around, Rosanna’s palms started sweating and her heart began beating fast. Sitting stiffly in her chair, she scanned the cubicle-filled room, trying to figure out who was going to ask her. Her eyes went wide when she saw Jules striding towards her. Dashing Jules with his wild black hair, steel blue eyes and sparkling smile. Though suave, he was a bit clownish, but that just added to his charm.

As he neared, his smile widened. “Heya Rosanna.”

Throat constricting, she flashed him a weak smile as she shuffled some papers.

“It’s Friday,” he continued. “You know what that means?”

She looked up at him and gave him a slight nod.

“You’ll join us, right?” Jules asked, raising an eyebrow.

When she didn’t respond, he leaned on the desk. While his musky cologne made her feel giddy; panic washed over her at his close proximity. It took all her willpower not to push back and run away screaming.

He looked her straight in the eyes as he said, “You’ve been working here for a while now. We’d like to get to know you.” He leaned in closer and whispered, “I’d really like to get to know you.”

A chill went up her spine at the seductive tone of his voice then shock rolled through her as she realized what he had admitted. It was exhilarating, yet terrifying. She thought he was cute, but was afraid she’d do something stupid like burp in his face or spill food on him. She was a complete klutz around people.

As she was about to tell him no, she remembered her psychiatrist’s latest advice. The key to change is letting go of fear. If she truly wanted to have friends and find love, she needed to take a chance.

Jules sighed and pulled away. “Maybe another time, eh?” Disappointment was evident in his voice.

Shaking, Rosanna nearly shouted, “Wait!”

His eyebrow rose again. “Yes?”

“I’m coming,” she forced out.

A grin broke across his face. “Great! Meet you outside in a few.”

She nodded as he walked away and continued nodding until she realized she should also get going. Dropping the papers on the desk, she grabbed her pink Hello Kitty purse. Her heart was still racing, but for once, she felt good.

Positive energy flowed through her as she joined Jules and six coworkers outside. Some gave her surprised looks while others ignored her. As they walked down the street, their chatter was light and trivial. Rosanna kept quiet.

When they arrived at the club, Jules held the door open for her and bowed low. This elicited giggles from the women. Rosanna blushed as she hurried inside. It was almost pitch black compared to the bright sunlight. Music thrummed through the place and the low murmur of voices filled the air.

She felt everyone walk past her and worried that they’d leave her behind, but Jules tucked his hand under her elbow and guided her along. After a few moments, she could see and started to pull her arm away.

Jules asked, “Doth my lady disdain my touch?”

She glanced at him. One of his eyebrows was raised as a smile played upon his lips. Her cheeks reddened again as she shook her head no. Her heart beat fast and for once, it wasn’t from fear, but excitement. She felt like a princess; a feeling she hadn’t experienced since she was a little girl.

Before she could get lost in thought, they stopped at a table near the dance floor. As everyone sat down, Jules pulled out a chair for her and pushed it in as she sat. He nearly leapt into the chair next to her before anyone else could claim it. She giggled, unable to stop herself.

Jules laughed and leaned closer to her. “There we go. I knew you were in there somewhere.”

A heat ran through her face and down her body.

Before Rosanna could respond, a female voice shouted, “What does everyone want for drinks? First round is on me!” There were cheers all around as orders were called out. After jotting it all down, she looked expectantly at Rosanna. “And you? I don’t suppose you’ve ever had alcohol before?”

Rosanna shook her head no as she started to retreat into herself, panic clawing its way to the surface.

Jules put his hand on hers. “I know what you should try.”

His warm smile comforted her and she relaxed again.

He turned to their coworker. “Something light and fruity would be a good start. Like a daiquiri?”

“Good idea, Romeo. One strawberry daiquiri it is.” She stood and strode to the bar.

Jules chuckled. “I’ll never be rid of that name, will I?” he asked no one in particular. Several assents came from around the table.

Courage rose in Rosanna and she mumbled, “Am I your Juliet?”

A low voice commented, “Not the first.”

Another voice added, “Nor the last.” Chuckles rose around the table.

Lifting her hand, Jules placed a soft kiss on the back of it. “Ignore those naysayers. It is true that I have been with others, but none can compare to you. You are my true Juliet and I would die for you.”

Overwhelmed by him, she gazed into his eyes, getting lost in the ocean of his soul. He was so kind and patient. Everything she could ever hope for, but she was still afraid. Her pulse kept racing and her throat was dry. Was this fear or something else?

When drinks arrived, she grabbed the glass of pinkish slush and gulped some down. The cold hit her first. Like eating ice cream too fast, her mouth puckered at the drop in temperature and her head ached slightly. The sweetness filled her senses, making her smile. Finally, a warm sensation started in her belly and spread throughout her body.

“This is pretty good,” she said as she looked up. Seeing all eyes on her, she blushed. “What?”

Jules murmured, “Weren’t sure how’d you react to alcohol.”

“I wasn’t sure what to expect either.” Rosanna smiled. “But I like it.”

Jules lifted his glass to the middle of the table. “Here’s to our new drinking buddy. May Fridays always be a source of pleasure for her, and us!” He winked at her.

Her crimson face turned a darker shade as she lifted her glass and echoed everyone by saying, “Cheers!” Clinking their glasses together, they all drank deeply, some finishing theirs completely.

As someone else got up to get another round of drinks, conversation turned to job-bashing, apparently another part of the Friday ritual. Jules explained that it helped them get out frustrations that had built up over the week. That way they could have a pleasant weekend and be ready to start the rat race all over again on Monday.

When it came to her turn, all she could think of to complain about was paper cuts. While there were a few snickers, most supported her rant on the hazards of filing. Elation ran through her veins, pumping her up. She could really get used to having friends and wondered why she had ever been afraid of interacting with people.

One drink turned into two and then three as they introduced her to a variety of sweet cocktails. When the band took the stage, she couldn’t sit still and pulled Jules to his feet. The look of surprise on his face morphed into pleasure as they bootie-bumped their way onto the dance floor.

Colored lights washed over her as her body burned with delight. Strobe lights threatened to blind her, but she kept a firm grip on Jules as she gyrated against him. He held her close and whispered suggestively in her ear. A haze settled over her mind, making her forget all her fears.

Time passed in the blink of an eye and Rosanna soon found herself outside in the cold night air, completely alone with Jules. The chill knocked some of the daze from her mind, enough for her to remember where her car was parked.

As they stumbled down the street, they talked of grand plans for the future. Their careers and budding relationship. Jules promised that he’d take good care of her. To ensure this, he convinced her that he should drive them home since he was in control of himself. When she stumbled over her own feet, she couldn’t deny his logic.

How they made it to her car, Rosanna didn’t know, but soon they were off down the empty street. Though she couldn’t figure out how to fasten the seatbelt, she managed to roll the window down. As they sped along the highway, the wind in her face was such a rush that she leaned out and screamed, “I love Jules!”

Jules laughed and shouted back, “I love you too!” He took his hands off the wheel and pulled her back inside. When he did, the car veered to the left into oncoming traffic. Bright lights filled the windshield as a deep horn blared.

Rosanna screamed. Jules turned hard on the wheel to the right. A high pitch screech accompanied the semi-truck scraping across the back end of the car. The world spun and tilted as smoke filled the air. Rosanna was flung free. Feelings of weightlessness lasted mere moments. An explosion rang in her ears. Pain crashed through her body.

Then all was silent, and blackness enveloped her.

Rosanna opened her eyes again and turned to face the window. The morning breeze fluttered the curtains. She inhaled the sweet scent of dew and freshly cut grass. Forcing herself, as she did every morning, she rolled out of bed and stood. Her red and white flannel nightshirt fell to her knees. Absently, she rubbed the soft material against the long, deep scar on her right arm. It was only one of many that crisscrossed her pale skin.

She leaned out the window. The sun shone warm on her face. She looked down and saw boys playing basketball in the apartment’s courtyard, the gardener was mowing a large patch of grass and out on the street several cars passed by. She closed her eyes and strained her ears.

Still, she could hear nothing.

Turning away from the window, she thought about what the doctors had said. Her hearing loss was supposed to be temporary. There was nothing physically wrong with her. Nothing to worry about, they had reassured; sometimes, it took time to heal.

A smile broke across her face. She didn’t mind because she no longer feared others. Sending prayers of thanks to Jules in heaven, she reveled in how easy it was to ignore people now that she lived in blissful silence.

(2,000 words)