The Stranger at the Balcony
The night was quiet, except for the hum of generators scattered across the street. I had stepped out to the balcony of my small apartment, searching for fresh air and maybe a little silence. My glass of wine sat cold in my hand when I noticed her—leaning on her own balcony just across from mine. She wore nothing but a loose tank top, her hair messy like she had just left her bed. The glow from her phone lit up her face, but the faint outline of her curves kept pulling my eyes. “Long day?” I asked, almost whispering, not expecting her to hear. But she did. She looked up, smiled faintly, and replied, “Too long. I needed the night breeze to clear my head.” Something in her voice—calm, but heavy—made me linger. Minutes passed, then words turned into laughter. Laughter turned into confessions. She admitted she was lonely, tired of pretending to be strong all the time. I admitted I’d been craving connection more than company. There was a pause. Her eyes didn’t shift, and neither did mine. “I...