The two of them enter Sky’s empty dorm room at Columbia. Sky’s roommate is visiting her family in West Virginia for the holidays, and Charlie has told Sky that she can stay with her until the spring semester starts.
Charlie speaks to Sky in a low voice as she flicks the light on in the small room. “Sky honey, grab your clothes so that we can get back to my place before the storm gets any worse.”
Sky opens a drawer to retrieve clothes for the next day, and she bends down next to the dresser as if she is searching for something between it and the wall. When Sky stands back up she has a flat rectangular square in her hand. The package is wrapped in shiny blue foil paper with a silver bow stuck to the upper right corner.
She hands the present to Charlie with a smug smile on her face. “Merry Christmas Lenore. You can open it now if you want.”
Sky speaks with indifference, but Charlie can tell that she is eager for her to unwrap it.
Charlie is flattered by the sentiment from Sky. “I thought we agreed not to give each other gifts this year Sky?”
“Why Charlie, are you implying that you did not get me anything?”
“Of course I got you something too. What kind of a girlfriend would I be if I forgot about my woman on Christmas?”
“Well according to the rules, you would be the kind of girlfriend who kept to her word. I am sneaky by nature, but I would expect better from a gentleman.”
When Charlie pulls the sparkling paper from the mystery beneath she finds a black metal picture frame that encases a poem written in calligraphy on a piece of thick tan paper. Sky has burned the edges to create a feeling of age. There it is, a symbolic gesture from the writer. Charlie holds it up in both hands to read the words against the yellow glare of the overhead light.
Autumn Breezes whisper softly
The curtains dance to its song
A flame flickers gently
Light embraces a darkened room
A silhouette against night’s shadows
Flames repeat in my lover’s eyes
From now until eternity burns out
And mother Earth has died
Cradled by the promise of your body
Breast to breast we lie together
Your heart beats through my chest
It is only now that matters
I will shield you with my flesh
Protecting you from evening’s chill
Attempts to ease this aching need
I am married to your beauty
Within as well as without
Powerless against your warmth
The only heat that soothes me
Held captive by your eyes
And a slave to your caress
Satin skin that melts my heart
And lips that steal my breath
Charlie’s eyes begin to well with tears as she reads the carefully placed words. Sky crouches down in front of Charlie and puts her hands on Charlie’s knees. Charlie can see Sky’s figure at rest in front of her through the blurred vision of a stunned and touched recipient of love.
“My dearest Lenore, I have been trying to find the words to tell you how I feel. I am afraid that those words do not exist, but these will have to do."
When Charlie collects herself enough to stand, she embraces Sky with newfound appreciation for the girl. “Any words from you are precious to me. I hope that I am lucky enough to hear your voice forever.”