You shower first.

Sara walks into the kitchen and says, “I can’t wake up until I’ve had some coffee. You can shower first, if you want.”

“Thank you.” I say and start towards the shower. I abruptly stop, ”Damn.” I say.

“What’s wrong” Sara asks.

“The power is still out. The water pump won’t…” suddenly the lights and T.V. flash to life, “…work.”

I hear Sara giggle as I grab a towel from the tiny linen closet and step into the bathroom.

As I am getting undressed, I think about last night. There was no doubt about it now, I was in love with her. When her arms wrapped around me, she might as well have been tying chains around my heart. I feel so connected to her. Why? I don’t know, but I feel it in my soul.

I can still feel her against me. Her warm body pressed close, her breasts rising and falling with every soft breath she took. I can still taste the scent of her on the air, like strawberries and the sea.

I blink and realize that I am just standing naked in the middle of the bathroom. After looking down, I also come to the conclusion that I am going to be taking a very cold shower.

I stand in the shower, cold water pouring over me, and I think that I have to tell her how I feel. I am terrified that she might reject me. After all, last night could have been a desperately needed moment of peace and that she didn’t love me, she just needed someone to hold onto. If that is all it was, I think that I can live with that, but I pray it meant something more to her.

I get out of the shower and towel off, going through what I am going to say in mind. I get dressed, take a deep breath, and head for the kitchen.

Sara looks up from a cup a coffee and says, “Oh good, you’re done. Is there any hot water left?”

“Yeah, there should be plenty. Sara…” I begin to say when she cuts me off.

“Sorry, hold that thought. I really need a shower.” She jumps up, grabs a towel from the closet, and shuts the door to bathroom behind her.

I pour myself a cup of coffee and sit down at the kitchen table. That didn’t go like I had planned. Now, I must go through the agony of waiting. All the possible reasons for her not to love me rush through my head, but I have to know how she feels, not knowing would be even a worse pain.
I sit, listening to the sound of the shower. My mind wanders to images of water spilling over her body. Her hands running up and down herself. The lather from the soap running down her legs as warm water flows all around her. I put my face into my hands and tell myself to get a grip, when I hear what sounds like a groan.

My head jerks up. Did I actually hear that? I listen intently. I hear it again. It could be the old water pipes. It’s definitely coming from the shower. Again, I hear something, only louder this time. Is it Sara? Is she in trouble?