Memories

by Amanda Berendt

Note: The flashback in this story takes place some time after the flashback of “Partners of the Month” (maybe 1700s-1800s)

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Nick sat at the small table in the corner of the restaurant by the window, gazing past the rain streaming down the glass. His thoughts were far away from the time and place where he now sat.

*Watching the rainfall in Vienna

Pictures of another time*

Years ago, he had sat in a corner of a tiny restaurant just like this one, watching a cloaked figure run through the rain across the courtyard. Entering the door to the establishment, the figure elegantly pushed back the hood of the cloak, revealing a striking young woman with raven black hair. She looked around briefly, then smiled sadly when her gaze met his.

*From the corner of a small cafe

We watched the world go by*

She approached the table where he sat. He rose to take her cloak, then held the chair as she sat down.

“It has been many years, Nicola.” she said quietly as he resumed his seat across the table from her.

“Yes, Janette.... too many.” he replied, turning once more toward the window.

*Now we sit here the best of strangers

We played the game for all it’s worth*

She touched his hand that rested on the table and he turned to face her again.

“We did not part on friendly terms.” she said softly meeting his eyes again. “It was not a fit ending to those years we spent.”

*Endless nights in Vienna’s eyes

Take me back again

‘Cause in Vienna - we were poetry

Yes in Vienna - love was alive*

“Nicola,” she continued, taking his hand in hers. “I did not mean to hurt you. I was not used to that much affection - to the depth of your love... it scared me.”

“Would you have rather not stayed for as long as you did?” he asked her, a bit more biting that he should have.

Accepting his tone she answered “Of course not. I cherished the years we had together and I do hope someday we will be together again.”

*Watching you watching me

All that our eyes could see

All of the nights

We chased into the dawn

It was the best time of my life*

The hours passed and no one took much notice of the young man and woman sitting in the corner speaking of times long past.

Then much too quickly for Nicholas, Janette turned toward the window. “I must go, it will be dawn soon.” she said with obvious regret.

As she stood, Nicholas held fast to her hand. “Spend the day here... with me.”

“I am sorry, love. I am not ready yet. But someday, we will be together again.”

She wrapped the cloak around her shoulders and smiled.

*We can’t surrender to a feeling

That dance belongs to yesterday*

Their hands touched for another, all too brief moment, then parted. She moved to the door, raised the hood of the cloak over her hair and stepped out into the rain.

Nicholas returned to his chair and gazed out at the figure retreating across the empty courtyard.

*Yes I still hear Vienna’s song

Take me back again*

--End—

This story was inspired while I was driving home yesterday listening to music.

The song that inspired it is:

“Vienna” from Linda Eder’s self titled CD

Music by Frank Wildhorn / Lyrics by Gary Berger

These characters do not belong to me, I am just borrowing them for a bit.