Thirteen

Transfixed before the blinding fire,

Where once the frost had lain,

A fragile earthen vessel walks

Into a trial by flame.

Andrea was drifting in and out of slumber when she felt Torry stirring. She didn't know what time it was, only that it was getting light.

She had awakened much earlier and had remained sleepless for a time, intoxicated with the wonder of being in Torry's bed. The only light in the room had been the digital clock shining 5:14 on the night stand. Seeing a night-light in the adjoining bathroom, Andrea had slipped there and back, shivering, across the cold parquet floor in the darkness. Crawling in bed again, she had lain next to Torry and fell back into blissful sleep feeling the warmth of his body next to hers.

It was nearly seven when she felt Torry kissing her cheek as she lay motionless on her stomach. Andrea opened her eyes and smiled.

"Good morning," Torry said, lying on his side next to her, clothed only in the white comforter they shared.

Andrea opened her eyes without moving, then smiled and whispered, "Hi."

"You were great last night," he said. "I thought you were a fantastic dream until I woke. I'm still not sure you're real."

"A real mess, I'm sure," Andrea said, burying her face in the pillow.

Andrea felt Torry lift the comforter up, feeling a draft down her back all the way to her hips.