A Night To Last A Lifetime

If only Samantha knew what this night held in store. Every time I hear the tale, I often wonder if she held the memory deeply, lovingly, within her heart or whether she lived with the deepest of regrets.

It was a sultry summer night, with a full moon casting long shadows across the ground. Stars sparkled and twinkled over the quietness of the farm; miles from anywhere. Samantha was bored, depressed, resentful of the fact that she was once again alone.

Married for just on a decade, Samantha thought back to the day she married Phil. A day whereby she still believed in love, romance and the promise of a bright future.

But, here she was a decade on, alone and lonely — always alone it seemed. Phil was out drinking with his buddies, as he did every night and she was not looking forward to the early hours when he’d arrive home, full of piss and high on testosterone, looking for a fight. The same as every other night of the last few years; like Groundhog Day, she lived it over and over again.

Samantha sat out on the deck, watching the full moon rise a little higher. Tonight, she decided, would be a little different. Tonight, she’d take a little taste of freedom. It may not change the night’s ending but be damned, she’d not sit and wait for Phil to take out his pound of flesh in ire. Not tonight.

Tonight, she’d take a little time out.

She jumped to her feet and dashed inside, grabbed her car keys and slammed the front door behind her. Her lips a little upturned as she opened her car door, flung herself inside and started the engine.

An evening drive to wipe away the cobwebs, windows down to allow the wind to ruffle her hair. The moon smiling down upon her audacity, her secret rebellion.

Her smile widened as she hit the highway, pedal to the floor until she was at cruising speed and she let her imagination soar. She laughed at the experienced freedom, enjoying the peace and solitude of the open road, giddy with anticipation. The world hers for a few dark hours.

Trees flashed past, silence other than the sound of her tyres, racing across the blacktop, happiness in the air.

Her foot came off the pedal as she spied a lone figure walking slowly along the shoulder of the highway and her curiosity was piqued.

Gradually slowing until she pulled up alongside and with nothing more than a nod of her head and a gentle smile, he opened the door and slid into the seat beside her. Eyes met and fate intervened.

Without a word, she rolled back onto the blacktop, took the first left and travelled a mile down the road until she spied a motel advertising a vacancy. She pulled in, parked the car and turned off the ignition. Eyes met once more and she shyly smiled.

They both exited the car in unison and checked in. Walking side by side they approached the door to their room. He gently took the key from her hand, opened the door and led her inside.

For the next few hours, they made magic happen. He took her to heights of delight, she surrendered to the basic of needs and when it was over, he held her gently in the space of his warm arms. She laid with a smile of peace upon her face, until the dawning light began to intrude upon their bubble.

Once more, two pairs of eyes met, a sad goodbye smile graced her lips, and she slipped from the bed, quickly dressed and walked out the door, closing it softly behind her.

One glorious night, lived in perfection, ingrained upon her memory as she headed home to face the music — music she’d have faced whether she’d sat home alone all night just the same.

Instead she had the memory of a night well-lived, well-loved, and yet, she hadn’t even asked him his name!