Forever after, Jeremy had a hard time being able to give a detailed account of that night, although he would tell you that every moment was indelibly seared into his memory. Everything around him seemed in sharp focus, yet at the same time far away, as if he were looking at it through a camera lens sharpened to crystal clarity, rather than being present himself. The smallest detail would impose itself on his memory alongside more obviously important things, garbling his attempt to make sense of it to others.
How could explain why the twinkle of something -- he never did discover what -- glinting in the gutter, reflecting the streetlights in a winking dance of light, was inextricably linked, for him, with Liliana's shapely ankles walking beside him, an ankle bracelet he had never noticed before sharing the same winking charm? Why did he notice a bright blue car going by on Grand? And why did the memory of it make him think of the feel of Liliana's hand in his?
They had dinner at the King and I, he remembered that distinctly. Liliana had never eaten Thai food, but had been agreeably adventurous. They started with the appetizer sampler, and Liliana let Jeremy order for her. She made a face at the bean curd, but seemed to enjoy most of it.
He gave her the necklace at dinner, and she told him he shouldn't have, but she put it on and declared it magnificent. He guessed that she'd had better gifts before, that she was the kind of woman men had lavished precious jewels and gold upon, but he was grateful that she treated his gift in the spirit with which it was given.
As they walked toward his apartment after dinner, he suddenly remembered the state he'd left it, and was embarrassed. What would she think of him? He was a slob. He didn't deserve the attention of such a beautiful and classy lady.
Just as he was getting jittery thinking about these things, she sighed and wrapper her arms around his arm, pulling in close to him and laying her head on his shoulder.
"You are a good man, Jeremy Morrison. You deserve this night, and don't think for a moment you do not."
"How do you do that?"
She looked up at him. "Do what?"
"Read my mind."
She laughed. "All women read minds, Jeremy. "Some of us are just more honest about it than others."
When they got to his place, Jeremy was bashful and awkward and hesitant. Liliana was patient and tender and gracious. The first time Jeremy lasted all of six or seven minutes, but she didn't complain or chastise him. She held him and told him how special he was to her and before long they were at it again. And again. Then they slept for awhile, then woke up and did it again. It was everything Jeremy had ever dreamed it might be, and more.
And when he woke up the next morning, she was gone.
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