I Never Forget a Face

I shivered against the cold; my pink lips now bright blue. The wind blew my hair about as I tried to sink further into my woolly jacket. The street was deserted; only two street lamps shone against the darkness of the sky. The cold of the metal bench on which I sat seeped through my jeans and into my skin; freezing me in place. Even as I shivered, my gaze never strayed. Swaying trees only obstructing my view for seconds at a time. The house stood across the narrow street. Its stature a whopping three stories high and its cream walls gleaming in the moon light. Breaking my gaze for mere seconds, I looked down at my wrist to the watch sitting there. 12:38 Two minutes, I calculated in my head, my gaze returning to the gleaming house.

As if on cue, two minutes later a car turned onto the street; its lights stopping in front of the house. From my vantage point on the bench, far away from either light, I waited. Breathing steadily I watched the car, its black windows making it impossible to see in. After what felt like minutes the engine was cut and a man exited. I watched him walk to the front door and slowly un-lock the house. Not once did the man look behind him or check to see if anyone was watching. First mistake.

Once the man was inside I slowly rose from my bench. I crept ever so slowly across the street, trailing my finger tips over the hood of the man’s car. At the boundary of the property, still shadowed in darkness, I stopped, held my breath, and listened. Straining my ears against the deafening quiet, I finally heard it. The doors deadbolt faintly clicked into place. The man had locked his door. I smiled.

Second mistake.

I didn’t bother being quiet anymore. I ran around the property and in seconds I stood before the back door. Putting my ear against the wood I listened for sounds of life. Once I was certain he wasn’t close, I tried the handle and found it un-locked. Not caring if it creaked, I whipped the door open and stalked in. I found myself standing in an elaborate kitchen, shining surfaces blinking back at me. Suddenly, I heard a noise from the next room and I grabbed the first thing to my right and followed the noise. My heart beat steady and my breathing even. I heard the man cough and then the sound of a TV being turned on. Third mistake.

I walked into the room and found the man sitting on a gigantic lounge staring at a 43inch screen. Re-runs of an old 90’s soap lighting the room. The man had a full beer in his hand, oblivious to my entrance. I cleared my throat, jostling him from his stupor. Dropping his beer, he whipped his head around to face me. His eyes widened as he saw me, his face draining of all colour.

“What...” he murmured.

His eyes dropped to my right hand and his mouth dropped. A hand rose and covered his mouth, a small gasp escaping his lips.

“Hello...” I said to him and again I saw his eyes widen, his pupils dilating.

He shook his head fast. Then even faster as he continued to stare at me. His hand dropped from his face and again his gaze went to my right hand. Now was my chance, while he was distracted by what I had in my hand. I took my opportunity. I pounced.

The leap wasn’t far. One step and I had enough momentum to jump on him. A small gasp escaped his mouth as he registered my attack. Leaning back into the couch, he tried to escape me. I landed on top of him and what I held in my hand slipped. It tumbled through the air, twirling and spinning, its silver coating shining in the dim light. Shouting, I tried to reach for it but before I could get there the man had reached out and plucked it from the air. From my position on top of him I could see him staring at the object. His eyes transfixed on its clarity.

“How did you know where I kept it?” he whispered.

“It was your fourth mistake tonight.” I chuckled. “...fourth...?” he asked confused, cocking his head to the side. My breathing stalled, I’d forgotten I’d always kept my training a secret. Looking for a distraction I did the first thing I could think of. I smashed my lips against his.

Later, he rolled me off of him. The TV still casting a soft glow around the room. Our breathing was erratic and I lifted my left hand to see the silver band around my third finger. “How’d you know it would be there?” I heard him murmur as he trailed a path down my arm to my hand, entwining his fingers with mine. “We always kept it there when I couldn’t wear it.” I started, shrugging. “I took my chances.” We turned onto our sides to look at each other and I knew we were both thinking of the same thing. We both smiled at each other. He hadn’t changed much while I’d been gone. He still had the same blue eyes, the same unruly dark hair, and the same crooked smile. It was me who was one doing the changing. My nose was smaller, my eyes now shining brown, my hair shorter and lighter, and I now wore a completely different smile. My hand instantly went to my ear, nervously scratching and picking at the thin medical scar behind it. I flinched at the remembered pain of the scar, my mind wandering to bright rooms, doctors and medical equipment. “Two years...” He started. “Are you ever going to tell me where you went?” Tears instantly formed in my eyes bringing me back to the present. He silently wiped them away, shaking his head as he did so. “How did you know it was me?” I whispered against his shoulder. I felt him smile against my neck, trailing soft kisses along my hot skin. “I never forget a pretty face.” He said into my skin. I stilled, waiting for his face to come back to mine, a huge grin splitting my face in two. “...and you showing up in our home, clutching your engagement ring helped.” He teased, leaning in to lightly kiss my tender lips. Wordlessly we loved each other, getting lost in one another for one more time.