By now twilight was in the air. The deep blue skies gave way to a starry night; yet, we did not rush going home. I did not know what to ask her. It was as if I already knew her from a former life, before Oakland…before Lucilla. Like the stars, the lights of the many establishments along Broadway flickered open. The crowds assembled in the various venues of a vibrant downtown; although Portland might not be known as the city of love and romance, it seems like it had always been. We were its denizens, Maribella and I.

I wanted to know more about Maribella. I was sure that she would allow me to ask and she would answer. But she did not ask too much of me. Time tells all. Soon she would know, but she did not seem to be in too much hurry. She took her time. Sometimes this threw me off, for I certainly would want to tell her of my commitments but it was not yet time. I supposed that knowing each other could only be sweeter if we pulled each other’s history slowly, like skins of an onion.

Was she like me, lost amidst an abundance of happiness and consistency? I knew that I should not be engaging myself in this liaison. I had a wife and two beautiful children, but I was. I wondered if she did the same, when she suggested that we spend the night together. Too soon, but men can be dogs. I agreed though half-embarrassed, revealing thoughts of lusty plans. I did not know if she read what I was thinking, but it did not matter. After all, she invited me and not the other way around. Maribella had designs of her own, too.