A Thousand Plateaus

in the distance the many colored explosions create abstract patterns in the sky behind the cathedral.
"these are the most beautiful..."
our protagonist is nodding silently.
"...they look like giant palm tress."
the boom from the explosion arrives long after the sparks have burned out spectacularly. three, four, five explosions follow, painting red, blue and green bouquets over the river, intense pulsing lights, that are reflected in the wine glass he's raising to his lips. looking straight down from this unusual height is giving him vertigo, and he clutches the balcony's banister for some real support.
"you know, we could go there and have a closer look."
"hm..., no. i don't really feel like being among a large group of people tonight."
the answer is a kiss and a whisper "i'd rather not share you with anybody else tonight, too."

hours later they quarrel mildly.
"but you said yes."
"oh no, i did not say yes." he had foreseen and feared this argument the entire evening, knowing that there was no way to avoid it.
"you said you would stay the entire night and sleep over."
"i don't think that i said that."
"but you didn't say no either, when i suggested it. not saying no means yes!"
"not saying no simply means to postpone the conflict as long as possible."
a sulking face and the fingers that have massaged his back retreat to the body that owns them.
"just give me *one* reason why you're not staying!"
"i'm sorry, but i just can't." sometimes there just isn't a rational reason that would be communicable or understandable by another person.
"i knew it! you *do* have wife and kids at home!"
"no, stupid! that's not it!" but he couldn't say that all night long – starting with the shower of light in the sky – he had been thinking of other bodies he had rather caressed and slept with, of other voices and other smiles.
"if you're going now i'll never call you again!" the threat is enforced by a slight slap on his shoulder. whether meant seriously or not, it didn't stop him from tying his shoelace.

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