Vincent read the raised numbers mounted on the hotel room door: 309. Jewel’s room. Balanced on his left hand was a pepperoni, sausage and mushroom pizza from Park Place Pizza. In his right, a six pack of Tab, Jewel’s favorite soda. Placing the cans on top of the pizza box, Vincent rapped four times on the door.
Vincent and Jewel’s relationship began four months earlier. Vincent made the first move, replying to a personal ad in a national magazine. The ad was placed by a woman simply looking for a pen pal. Intrigued, Vincent responded.
He found out her name was Jewel and she worked in the accounting department for a children’s hospital. She didn’t live across the country, but her home was still over 700 miles away. While she owned a computer, she didn’t subscribe to an internet service, hence the desire to correspond via traditional mail. Besides, she explained, e-mails seemed to her less personal than a handwritten letter. If she was going to have a real friendship, it was going to be with someone who was willing to take the time to put their words on paper.
Further letters revealed common interests in music, movies and books. They shared a similar sense of humor. Also, they understood each other’s thoughts and feelings on various topics. They got each other, Jewel would say. Vincent soon saw the possibility of this relationship turning serious.
Letters evolved into phone calls and the two grew even closer. Then, last week, Jewel mentioned to Vincent that she was planning a trip to visit her cousin. Her cousin lived roughly 100 miles beyond Vincent and Jewel was willing to stop for the night in his town, seeing as how she was going to pass by anyway. Did he want to meet her? Vincent responded in the affirmative and the two made plans.
Now he stood outside her door, lunch in hand, anxious to see the woman who was easily becoming his best friend.
“Who’s there,” a woman's voice called playfully, not expecting anyone else.
“It’s Vincent.”
The door opened and Jewel stood in the doorway. Vincent had seen pictures of his pen pal, so he had an idea of what to expect. But pictures don’t fully capture the real person. She was a heavy-set woman, standing slightly shorter than he at around five-foot-three. Her jet black hair hung with a mild wave, framing a face touched-up with only the barest of make-up. She wore navy blue sweats and an oversized blue t-shirt. Jewel looked at him with brown eyes, smiling. Vincent found her beautiful.
Vincent stepped inside as Jewel took the pizza and the soda and placed them on the small table. Then she turned toward him and held her arms out, inviting him to join her in a hug. Vincent obliged.
She was warm and soft in his embrace. He buried his face in her hair and held her close. The two gently swayed back and forth silently, enjoying the moment. Vincent pulled back a little so he could see her face. Her eyes were closed and her lips were turned up in a contented smile. Jewel never let Vincent pull too far away. She kept her face close to his, foreheads touching, noses brushing against each other. Too close to see, Vincent could sense her lips mere inches away from his, her breath gently warming his face.
“Are you going to kiss me?” Vincent was the first to speak.
“I drove 700 miles to see you, Vince. You can travel the remaining six inches.”
And he did.
His lips touched hers and she took him in eagerly. He expected a traditional kiss. She surprised him with a probing tongue. They lingered, neither wanting to break the connection.
Vincent released the kiss before the duration crossed over into absurdity. He pulled away just far enough to gaze into Jewel’s face. Her eyes remained closed, her smile blissful. Once more, Vincent placed his head against Jewel’s, her soft hair brushing against his cheek. He held her a little tighter.
For the moment lunch was forgotten as the couple continued their embrace, knowing they would no longer just simply be friends.