Vignette: Stars

      Ophelia by Frances McNair       

         Okay... look up, now.
I had never taken someone to this part of the city; specifically this level of the city. Penn's Landing is one of those places that doesn't look like much during the day. But at night, it lights up like a beacon of all that is good and hopeful in this world with pubs starting parties and bringing people to dance in the street, down sidewalks, through lanes packed with cars. Little lights dance across the Delaware River  and dance on the tide like will-o-wisps. In summer, the feeling of being on top of the world elates itself, coming to life with the subtle heartbeat thrum of music eking from restaurants, clubs and apartment complexes. Now, here I was removed from all that, sitting on the rooftop with a man I had only known for two years.
  "You're not scared of getting caught?" Ben asked, quietly watching a few cars parallel park.
  I shrugged. "I know the landlord. He wouldn't call the police unless some dumb kids decided to play ninja."
I paused, closing my eyes. A smile settled on my face as a warm breeze rushed between us. I let my hair rest between my shoulder blades, watching Ben peripherally. "Ian and I used to watch the fourth of July fireworks up here... I realize the irony in my telling you this, don't worry."
   "Why bring me up here?" Ben placed a loose arm around my shoulders. There were plenty of reasons: to show my dear friend from across the pond the best view of Philadelphia; to be nostalgic, to feel something vaguely romantic... The list could have been longer but, truly, there was one concrete reason. Why else would you go to someplace beautiful on a dark summer night?
  "Come here." I directed, walking to the middle of the roof and sitting down. I patted the ground next to me and Ben mimicked my actions. "Close your eyes"
He did as I asked, and I pushed him slowly onto his back with a soft hand. I let him settle a moment.
   "Okay. Now, look up."


{Author's Note: Real quick, I promise! This is from a set of about 20 vignettes I am doing with four characters: Ben, Lila, Ian, and Amie (the narrator). It's for my writing seminar, which I am currently not doing the greatest in, but I felt like sharing this nonsense with you! Sincerely, CLE}