After our split we morphed into mere apparitions dismissed by the other with a turn of the head. No social foot prints were left for the other to discover, friends were enlisted as spies concocting elaborate cloak and dagger routines assuring we never went to the same party, never appeared at the same wedding the same book reading, until Halloween night that is.

I have no way of knowing if it occurred to Ellen not to show, it certainly had not occurred to me that my ex wife would be mingling with my guests like she’d never left me. But here she is dressed in a barmaid’s costume leather straps around her midriff lifting her breasts skyward earrings caressing her neck peaking out from beneath her cascading brunette mane. Once the center of our gatherings now she’s the center of my Halloween party.

Mingling her way through the crowd Ellen deftly moves toward me. I mingle in retreat from her advance, and for the briefest moment stop to catch my breath when fingers touch my neck then stroke my cheek. I turn and immediately tumble helplessly into her eyes.

Holding back hot tears welling behind my eyes, I’m unable to speak. Her  hazel eyes lock me in silent suspension, and in one motion acknowledging our dilemma she licks her finger then places its wetness upon my lips snakes her body against mine whispers in my ear “don’t talk”. My heart races the more her body leans against mine my hands encircle her waist looping fingers in leather straps yanking her hips into mine pressing into her  needing more. Barely moving we tug at each other aching to be closer oblivious to the guests, the muffle of a  trumpet player the only lifeline remaining.

Drawing a long deliberate breath as our lips finally touch I come alive savoring her taste in every pore of my body, shivers dance their way up and down my spine my head vibrates as if  touched by electricity tingling with desire back-lit with a deep reckless need for this woman.

Give and take, I touch you, you touch me. We dance around the room the only music a faint awareness of clinking glasses, laughing, talking and our own rhythm between us. My fingers explore her backbone diving into each crevice probing flesh muscle tendons for their connection to her. Ellen  plays the back of my neck her fingers creating wave after wave of  erotic shivers traveling through my entire body becoming euphoric pulses sealing her ownership of my will.

Garbing my elbow hard almost desperately Ellen maneuvers me into the loft’s bird cage her red blushed finger pushes hard upon the up button. Our hands scramble to touch the others face, kneading flesh deeply we linger lovingly as our fingers reach the crossroads seemingly for the first time. Aching to own the other aching to possess deeply, to shut off noise reminding us of the past. The elevator door opens reveling the empty bed we shared before we became  apparitions. We move into the room forgetting our phantom masks, forgetting each others pain while we give each what the other desires.

Tomorrow we’ll float apart like in a movie, now nobody feels any pain, just for now there are no roiling moments of regret inhabiting our lonely self’s, just for now all we need is love.

Ellen inhaled the stainless aesthetic, then slowly exhaling, savored the anticipation washing over her.

The vendor folded back the stainless doors releasing the sacred aroma into a cloud of rising steam, and smiled. Taking the cue Ellen stepped forward to place her order, “two please,” she said smiling back at the vendor.

Silver tongs plunged deep within the stainless, returning a rich plump hot dog steamed to succulent perfection. The vendor expertly nestled the dog into a warm spongy bun, and repeated, to complete Ellen’s order.

Reaching out Ellen graciously received the hot dogs remarking “how juicy and plump,” and with no one noticing she genuflected a wee bit, thanking the universe for the moment.

Instinctively she grasped the solitary yellow squeeze bottle brightly contrasting itself against the cool stainless of the cart, and wondered, maybe she’d eat the hot dogs naked, but she squirted a long yellow line across both dogs before she could decide.

With one bite Ellen revisited all her summer memories, reliving a brief happiness she had as a little girl, when time stood still.

We stood clapping and smiling as Ellen made her way into the private dining room, then hinting at the surprise yet to come we sang a slow sensuous version of Happy Birthday.

Ellen clapped while moving from guest to guest kissing us as her eyes filled with layers of tears and joy, each of us returned the kiss mine lingering, I whispered “ I love you” Ellen pulled me closer saying “ I know”.

Our party of six sat down while watching the Cacao Steward orchestrate the serving of the bowls filled with a liquid of deeply dark chocolate oozing in its thickness and warmth in front of each of us.

“Ellen” I said “we are having a chocolate tasting tonight, each bowl has a different chocolate and using brushes we will paint our lips having the person to our right taste the bouquet from our lips, then we will switch places with the person to our left repeating the tasting.”

I sensed Ellen gasp but she quickly regained composure asking “you mean we will each be licking from everyone’s lips tonight,” “indeed we will” I responded with a smile.

Observing all this was The Cacao Steward who was determinedly blase, her emotions professionally stuffed like a good truffle, she smiled at the joy of it all.

Reaching up from the couch Ellen hooked my finger spinning me around so completely I tipped then tumbled next to her in a heap.

“You are such a klutz” she effused between her pursed lips stifling her giggle of triumph that usually found its way into a room when she got her way.

From my decidedly submissive position I smiled not acknowledging the slam,I did look twice for her giggle that never came so I took her hand in mine.

She jerked her hand but I held firmly pulling her down to me where she laid her head and cried.

Squeeze Me

Within reach of her grail Ellen breathed in the the stainless aesthetic, then slowly exhaled as she placed her order.

The vendor folded back the stainless door releasing the aroma filled steam into the surrounding courtyard.

Silver tongs diving deep and returning with a rich plump hot dog expertly placed in a delightfully warm bun.

Ellen received a dog so juicy, so plump it cried to be left naked.

Instinctively she grasped the solitary yellow squeeze bottle brightly contrasting itself against the cool silver of the cart.

With one bite Ellen revisited all her summer memories, experiencing a brief, happiness.

Social Media is everything if you believe the hype, of course the the hype comes from the people in Social Media. Today’s 100 word story is entitled Social Media Dance, Enjoy!

Social Media Dance

Sliding her arm around mine Ellen tugged at my reluctance to enter the Social Media Dance.

A renegade social engineer fired from Utterz MC’d the event, He was the darling of Social Media. Ellen thought he was visionary, I thought he sucked.

Well known electronic bands played and Ellen was excited to hear current hits like Network Your Connections, Connect Online and the crowd favorite Do The Connection

Cynically I asked “ what no Social Pokey”? Ellen shot her familiar get out of town glance and we continued connecting.

At midnight they played the Social Media Stomp, we went home.

Laying in bed on a spring day is heaven. Today’s 100 word story is entitled Boxtop, Enjoy!

Boxtop

The incessant knocking at the bedroom door abruptly collapsed my dreaming.

Rubbing my eyes I looked up to see four girl scouts at the foot of my bed.

Before I could speak the tall one said “ it’s boxtop day, you promised to help.”

Pulling the covers over my head I mumbled “boxtop day indeed,” adding “give me 2 minutes.”

Downstairs there were at least twenty girl scouts all staring at me. An amused Ellen handed me coffee pointing to the door, I mouthed “what no cereal?”

I motioned the drivers to head out, the great boxtop collection was on.

We really never know what someone is going to say from moment to moment. Today’s 100 word story is entitled Engage Me, Enjoy!

Engage Me

Ellen glided through the patio door without a sound till she was almost touching me.

Placing her hand on my shoulder she turned me to gaze deeply into her eyes, her hands then grabbed my collar pulling me closer.

With her silken honey voice Ellen said “engage me”.

Normally I reveled in her little challenges, I mean what else could create such delightful friction in my life.

This time however I was unnerved even a bit frightened as I sank deeper into her her eyes.

Ellen repeated “engage me” her words invited me on a road I knew was Taboo.

As a kid summer never seemed to end and the memories made were vivid. Today’s Daily Dose 100 word story is entitled Railroad Flares, Enjoy!

Railroad Flares

Ellen came over with sparklers and cookies for our 4th of July celebration. My parents added 3 railroad flares and some lemonade to the mix, then made themselves scarce.

For most of the evening it was just the two of us standing around our shoulders touching watching the flares burn in the driveway or running in circles with the sparklers..

We played tag while the fireworks exploded across the river. Any excuse for contact was good with us. For those couple of hours Ellen and I were the only ones alive.

It was not till Christmas that we kissed.

Sometimes your head is in the sand and sometimes you fall in a hole, such is love. Today’s Daily Dose 100 word story is entitled Little Prince, Enjoy!

Little Prince

Exiting the Bull & Finch at closing, crossing Beacon as lovers, we entered the Flower Gardens.

From the shadows two men appearing, asking for a light. I light his cigarrette knowing too late trouble was upon us.

A knife against my cheek, Ellen pulled from behind a knife to her throat.

Demanding money, I pay tribute from pockets and wallet.

They Demand our coats, I say “no.” Shaken they laugh then run with the loot.

We go home in a cab from a b-movie.

I sleep, Ellen awake all night paints on a wall the Rose from The Little Prince.

Today’s Daily Dose 100 word story is entitled Down The Stairs. Down the stairs we ran hoping to out run each others demands. Enjoy!

Down The Stairs

I shook my head, repeating no, no Ellen, no to your virtually incessant demand.

Down the stairs we rumbled Ellen yelling yes yes yes and then my chorus of no no no would echo off the concrete walls.

Our determination not to give in was approaching a comic epic, our voices reverberating through the foundation.

Reaching the terrace Ellen catapulted her furry into the center of the room yelling “Can you believe him”? Our guests were stunned and silent.

Everyone starred at me, “ok” was all I said. our guests applauded my capitulation. Ellen winked and curtsied for everyone to see.

Today’s 100 word story finds Ellen back in the middle of it all. She last appeared in Liquid Chocolate.

The story today is entitled Red and Yellow. Enjoy!

For a minute or two Ellen lingered at Macy’s exit, she then tentatively ventured out into the courtyard. Walking briskly looking from side to side she was sure she had not been recognized.

Ellen so hated this cloak and dagger routine she went through, but she had needs like everyone else.

Reaching the vending cart with it’s red and yellow menu, Ellen placed her order. “Two with everything” she intoned taking a fitful scan of her surroundings.

For now at least she was safe from discovery, even her guilt could not dampen her joy for these two juicy hot dogs.

Last weeks subject was At My Own Funeral and 12 people ended up sending in their take on it. You can hear them all as 100 Word Stories.

This week the subject is Hemmorhage and though it’s misspelled here and at the podcast site it means what you think it means. I have tried to take the meaning in a different direction then what is found in the dictionary.

My story and audio this week is entitled Liquid Chocolate. Enjoy!

Ellen walked straight to the back room of the old bakery joining the five of us already present. We sat hushed as the baker brought us the mythical liquid chocolate cake.

As Ellen sliced into the cake chocolate lava hemorrhaged from the center engulfing all six layers. Off in a corner the baker smiled and a dog barked.

Each of us was served a piece dripping with liquid chocolate. Savoring each bite we thought how poets lived for just such a moment and experiencing feelings boarding on rapture we all in unison smiled at Ellen, wishing her a happy birthday.