Perfect Days Last Only a Moment

Elaine waited outside the studio under her umbrella. She kept mistaking the pattering of rain for footsteps, and glanced around for any sign of someone. She gave a long sigh and gazed into the window. There were rows of stationary bikes, soon to be topped with people trying to lose weight, train for sports, or just there for the fun of it. Elaine, however, was here for a different reason.

Elaine found her reflection in the window. Her short, brown hair was tidied to perfectly frame her smooth, powdered face. Underneath her coat, she wore a slim, black tank top and her favorite purple leggings. Both articles hugged her body to accentuate her features. She needed everything to be perfect today.

The weather already brought complications. Not only did the rain threaten Elaine’s makeup and soak her shoes, it might cause the coach to arrive late, pushing back the class, leaving a shorter window for the perfect moment . . .

Elaine drew a sharp breath to calm herself. She fished her phone out from her pocket and checked it.

8:23 am.

There was still time. She may have her moment yet. To prevent herself from overthinking, she clicked the daily news app. Celebrity secrets. Military expansion. Local business reports. Nothing new or exciting. Political battles. Overseas tensions. Then something interesting. “Military Draft Begins.” She didn’t understand. Was there a war coming? With whom? Why did it require a draft?

Her thoughts were interrupted by a recognizable, “Morning, Elaine!” She looked up to see Charlie, her tall, handsome, and fit coworker she’d been waiting for. They met at the cycling studio twice a week when they had work off. He was drenched through his coat, and his long, golden hair was matted to his head.

“Charlie!” Elaine exclaimed, rushing the umbrella over his head. “You’re soaked!”

He shrugged. “A little rain never hurt anybody.” He pulled a comb out of his pocket and smoothed his hair back into a ponytail. “Enjoying your morning so far?” he asked.

“It’s not bad,” Elaine replied tepidly. She looked away to gather her breath. She could smell his cologne, even with the musk of the rain. It told her that he had something important today, too.

“I’m not gonna lie, I didn’t know it was raining until I was running out the front door,” Charlie stated. “I had to rush to catch up!”

Elaine replied with a faint “Hm”. She smiled to herself as she tried to find a way to steer the conversation.

Charlie pocketed his comb, and, realizing Elaine’s silence, asked, “Are you okay? You seem kinda distant.”

She flinched when he said “distant”. Immediately turning, Elaine stammered. “No, no, I was just thinking about something!” She smiled innocently.

Charlie’s lax smile fell before he asked, “You probably saw the news, didn’t you? About the draft.”

Elaine stopped. “What?”

“I was gonna tell you after today’s session,” Charlie added, “but I think I should tell you now. I got drafted.”

Elaine’s mind went blank. Drafted? As in the military draft? Charlie would be going to war?

Charlie said, in a low tone, “I leave next week.”

She couldn’t believe it. Charlie would be going to war. Gone from her life. She couldn’t think of anything to say.

They heard a “Good morning” behind them as the coach unlocked the door to the studio. Charlie greeted the older man before turning back to Elaine. “Sorry I had to tell you like this.” He smiled softly to try to comfort her. “I would’ve liked to get lunch first.”

Elaine was silent. She couldn’t stop thinking. Only the continuous pattering of rain sounded around them. Finally, Charlie put his hand on her shoulder. “Come on, let’s go inside,” he coaxed.

It was the worst hour of Elaine’s life. The uphills felt like scaling mountains, the bursts burned her inside. Even the short rests in between left her feeling heavy. She looked at Charlie, trying to find out what he was feeling. Strangely, he seemed more focused than ever, eyes flared with determination. She didn’t understand. How could he be ready for what’s coming? Was he hoping for something like this? What’s going to happen to her when he’s gone?

She thought about the time they spent together. Stocking shelves at the supermarket. Karaoke once a month, so Charlie could teach Elaine how to sing. Even this, these cycling sessions, was done so they could hang out more. Was it all meaningless? Would it ultimately lead to nothing?

No, Elaine couldn’t let it. She had to let it out. She had to tell him. Maybe there was a way for him to avoid service. There had to be. She would find it.

“Sorry for making you wait,” Charlie said in a fresh T-shirt. “What do you wanna get for lunch?”

Elaine was silent. She was trying to find the right words. Charlie’s expression dimmed.

“Are you okay?”

She turned slowly. “Do you have to serve?” she asked.

Charlie drew a deep breath, and responded, “Yes.”

Elaine’s thoughts wavered. It wasn’t fair. Charlie had his whole life ahead of him, and now he was going to be taken away from her. She mustered the courage to ask, “Why?”

Charlie thought for a moment. He smiled before saying, “Well first of all, it’s the law.”

Elaine couldn’t help chuckling. He always knew how to make her laugh. Charlie chuckled a bit before adding, “Second, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I dodged.”

Elaine raised her head to meet his gaze. His eyes were resolute.

“Will you make sure to come back to me?”

The words came out before she had realized. Her face lit with embarrassment. Elaine swivelled away from Charlie. Before she could say anything, Charlie had her in his arms.

“Yeah, I’ll come back to you.”

He looked her in the eyes, and they both began to laugh. She’d done it. One way or another, she’d told him she loved him.