The Light In The Dark

When Claire pulled into the rear lot of the Church, Leon was already there, waiting for her in his car. It was their usual meeting place, but this time things were different. It would be their first encounter since his Mother's passing. She thought it was a little strange, to be here now, with the death looming over their heads, but on the phone Leon had insisted that the graveyard was as good as any place. Claire wasn't sure what to expect, though Leon and his Mother were estranged, she knew it couldn't be easy for him. He had wanted a relationship with her, but she had taken issue with his career path shortly after his father died. It was an endless argument that Leon suspected was a defense mechanism, a way to push him back and avoid another potential loss. Eventually he broke contact and told her to call him when she was ready to be civilized. That was five years earlier. Five whole years without so much as a phone call or a card, and now she was gone.

Claire cut the engine and, like always, Leon got out to join her in the passenger seat of her pick-up. It was early evening on a winter day, snow covered ground and the sun already set.
Leon shot Claire a half smile as he climbed in,

"You're late" he teased.

Claire checked the dashboard clock and it was one minute passed their scheduled meeting time. She laughed lightly.

"How are you?" she asked, in a tone heavy with concern. She figured that Leon would understand what she was getting at and change the subject if he was uncomfortable.

Leon sighed, pressing his lips together, "I'm... sort of... relieved." he said, expressionless.
"I know, it sounds awful... "

"No... " Claire said, "it sounds perfectly reasonable."

It was silent for a while after that. The moonlight reflecting through the windshield illuminated their faces, and Claire noticed something she hadn't anticipated: a glassy sheen in Leon's eyes. He brought his hand up to wipe a stray tear from his cheek and as Claire watched him she reached out and put her hand on his shoulder, drawing him closer. It didn't take much force, Leon went willingly, burying his face in the crook of her neck and relaxing into her. As she cradled his head, Leon moved his arms around her and held on with an urgency, and then suddenly, perhaps caught up in the intimacy of the moment, he kissed her neck. Slowly, gently, he kissed her a second time, just below her jawline.

"Leon... "

Claire said his name as if it were a question and then pulled slightly back, until they were nearly nose to nose. His eyes were red and forlorn and Claire steadied his face between her hands to get a better look at him. Before she could think, Leon pushed his lips against hers. Claire felt her arms and legs turn to rubber, and she could hear her own heart stuttering in her chest. She kissed him back, almost losing herself, then she pulled away. Millions of thoughts were passing through her head, and she swore that Leon could see them in her eyes.

"You're the only woman in my life... " he started, breathless, "You've been the only one for years... and I'm tired of pretending that it's just a coincidence."

Claire's belly did a somersault.

"Claire... I am here with you every week because I want to be. Seeing you is the only thing I get excited for... "

"Leon... " All her words were lost in her awe

Leon put his hand on her cheek, letting his eyes burn into hers, and Claire kissed him, with a passion that rivaled his confession. When they stopped for air Leon pulled her against his chest, engulfing her completely in his arms, then he brought his mouth to her ear, "Stay with me tonight... " he whispered, "come home with me..."