Epiphany

[Amerist]

“Epiphany,” said the stranger. Her eyes were lost in thought, hidden behind broad sunglasses.

“What?” Tiffany hadn’t even heard the woman sit down next to her, but there she was: a pale phantom dressed like an opera connoisseur. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were there. I can move to a different bench.”

The stranger dismissed Tiffany’s offer with an eloquent gesture. “The sunrise, yes?”

Tiffany nodded. She had come here many mornings now. It was the best place on the boardwalk to watch the sun rise over the bay. Even now the waters were turning from a black into a deep navy. Soon the stars would flee from the sky.

“It’s like an epiphany, isn’t it?” the stranger asked as if she had never seen a sunrise before. “A sudden brilliant realization; true and pure and beautiful.” The woman turned to look at Tiffany. “Tell me, how many have you watched?’

Tiffany started to feel concerned for her safety now. She swallowed, trying not to wither in the chilly gaze of the strange woman. “I’ve been coming here a year now.”

The woman smiled an inward smile, a secret smile. “I have not seen a sunrise in as long as I can recall.”

“Do you live underground or something?” Tiffany asked and a moment later regretted it. The woman could have worked when the sun rose as far as she knew, and never was able to sit and enjoy one.

“Something to that effect, yes,” the stranger didn’t sound offended. “I’m breaking the rules by being here. I just wanted to see it. Just once. I hope you don’t mind.”

“No,” Tiffany said. “I don’t mind.” She sat back. The stranger didn’t seem to mean her any harm; she just had a foreboding in her attitude. There was something unsettling in the woman’s voice, something that put Tiffany on edge that she just couldn’t put a finger on.

“Can you tell me what it’s like?”

Tiffany assumed she meant the sunrise. “Well,” she said. “First the sky will lighten and the stars vanish.” She could see the entire thing unfold in her mind. “A breeze will come from the ocean and the water will turn from dark to deep blue. The sky will blush red, and then when the sun crests the horizon it will be like a golden crown being lifted above a sapphire cloth.”

“It sounds beautiful,” the woman said. “Just like your poetry described.”

“You have to experience it yourself, to really know—” Tiffany said but caught herself. “What? My poetry? I don’t show my poetry to anyone.” How could the woman know about that?

“It’s really good, you know,” the stranger said. “I knew that you were the one when I heard your work.”

“How did you read my work? I keep it in a—.”

“Diary with a keyed lock. I have been pleased to be an audience to the private night-time performances of your work, however clandestine my appearances in your gallery.” The brightening sky reflected in the woman’s glasses as she watched Tiffany’s expression pale. “I will miss your readings.”

Tiffany stood suddenly, her back to the ocean, staring at the strange woman. “Who are you?”

“I’m just someone who wanted to experience a sunrise,” said the woman, removing her sunglasses and revealing empty sockets where her eyes should have been.

Terrified, Tiffany ran. She did not look back.

As sun rose the stranger was heard to have said, “I see now; it is beautiful,” before the morning blush gave way and the golden light breathed the flesh from her bones.

[Brenda Starrr]

Nice!

[Sybil]

<raises eyebrows and smiles and nods>

i agree.. i liked that ...