VIEW
She stepped closer to the fence, and laced her fingers into the wire. Below her, the city rolled out from horizon to horizon, divided by the great sundial shadow of the skyscraper.
She watched the traffic scurry to and fro, bathed in noise and fumes, then closed her eyes and took a deep, deep breath.
"This," she thought. "This was worth it."
The creaky artificial snap of a digital camera brought her out of her reverie, and she looked round. He peeked out from behind the camera and gave an encouraging wink.
"Hi," he said. "How about that view, huh?"
"I thought you were too scared to look over the edge?"
"I wasn't talking about the city."
She scuffed her shoes, embarrassed.
"Shuddup. I look a mess."
He stepped closer, reaching out to her, and ran his fingers under the brim of her hat, along the side of her shaved head.
"You look just fine to me."
She looked up at him for a moment, then hugged him tightly.
"Are you sure you don't want a little peek over the edge?"
He tensed up, speaking through gritted teeth.
"No, no. You're all right. I can feel the building move in the wind, and that's more than enough for me."
Sensing it was time to go, she took his arm and led him away from the observation deck. Without looking back, they went down into the building and got on with the rest of their lives.
View (C) 2005