Gabriel's Hope

"I asked, didn't I?" It came out as a growl.

"You don't talk to women much, do you?"

"Answer, woman."

She smiled. "Death. I'm thinking about death."

He went still, the humor fading from his features.

"Kinda puts a damper on any conversation," she said. "I've got a few things left on my bucket list. I was thinking about working a couple of them in this week."

"Why?"

"Obvious, isn't it? I'm dying."

"Then why are you so happy?"

"Because I'm not dead yet," she said.

His gaze went to the ocean. Deidre felt bummed. He was disturbed. She'd pushed down his walls then driven them back up.

"You're brave," he said.

"I realized that to appreciate what I had left, I had to let go of everything," she said with a shrug. "No apologies, no regrets."

"What's on your bucket list?"

She was quiet for a moment, thinking. "I want to go skydiving. And successfully make a soufflé. Visit the Grand Canyon, travel to Scotland, hot air balloon ride. You know those Christmas lights that are shaped like red chili peppers?"

He snorted. "Yeah."

"I want those in my kitchen. I've always liked those," she murmured, pensive.

"What else?"

"Some of them are really stupid."

"People who say that mean the opposite."

"You really want to know?" she asked.

"Yeah."

"Okay then. Skinny dipping. Making love in the moonlight on the beach. Sex in a hot tub or shower. You know I've never been on top? I bookmarked a few pages in the Kamasutra for things I'd like to try, but I'm too afraid to show anyone." She stopped. "I should not have mentioned that. I made this really awkward."

"It's just getting interesting," he replied. "I like this bucket list better. Bet I could show you a few things you won't find in the Kamasutra."

"Well, what're we waiting for?" she replied without thinking. "Let's go!"

"I'm game," he said, laughing quietly. "Though I'm wondering why you're alone on a beach in the moonlight without someone to make love to you with a bucket list like that."

"Oh, god. I've humiliated myself," she mumbled.

Suddenly self-conscious, she touched her face. It felt hot. She couldn't remember the last time she'd been so honest or embarrassed, and in front of a complete stranger! No wonder he asked her if she was drunk. Something about him made her feel comfortable, or she wouldn't be sitting alone with a man dressed like the angel of death on the beach after dark, revealing secrets she didn't tell her boyfriend of two years.

"I'm so sorry. I think I'm gonna go." Deidre stood to leave. He caught her wrist, and a strange energy moved up her arm. She paused, the unfamiliar sensation a combination of adrenaline that made her blood quicken and electricity that made her skin tingle. It fascinated her.