Attraction- Jenny's Take

The Challenge:  Write a character to whom you would be attracted.

 

Charlie

 

By Jenny Holden

 

The morning was all downy soft, light tumbling in pastels through the mottled green of summer leaves.  Charlie sat on the porch of a small white cottage with a coffee balanced on one knee and a book on the other.  The water-colored dawn slipped down his aquiline nose like quicksilver. 

A glimpse of smile curled his full lips and vanished nearly as quickly, almost as if he was afraid of giving it away for free.  He reached up slowly, removed his worn reading glasses, and rubbed his eyes. Heavily lashed lids began to droop slowly over pale green, thought overtaking him.   Last night had been a wonderfully uncommon occurrence and his body was still reeling from its effects.  Drinking with friends after an impromptu jam session happened rarely, which made it all the more special.  Charlie, reminiscing, eyed the banjo sitting comfortably in its stand just beyond the threshold.

Thick black hair stood in anarchic locks this way and that, a stark contrast to his methodical face.  He still hadn’t brushed it and probably wouldn’t for the rest of this lazy Sunday. He thumbed to the back flap of the book, pulled out the receipt of its purchase, and used it as a makeshift bookmark.  A slight grimace painted his marble visage as he downed the rest of the acrid coffee.

He stood, stretching his 6 foot frame toward the pink and gray clouds scuttling by.  He was broad chested, but fairly slim for his build. He accredited his physique to his love of the ocean.  Every morning he would take his dog, Hank, out for a run along the coast of his beloved Massachusetts home and the occasional swim if the weather was agreeable.  This morning, the sky boasted of boundless sun and congenial temperatures, so Charlie sauntered back into his modest abode with a sense of adventure.  A stroll down the beach with a sandy-blond companion would be a most satisifactory start to a day like this.

Clothes from the previous night were pooled near the door of his bedroom, Charlie having been too tired to bother with sorting, folding, and hanging.  He set his cup and book on the bare tile counter of the kitchen and bent down to collect the debris when Hank bounded off the bed and into Charlie’s arms.  The force of canine adoration sent the two sprawling onto the hardwood floor.  Charlie let out a booming laugh and wrapped his arms around the wriggling golden retriever.  Hank licked every inch within reach. 

After a few moments, Charlie released his willing captive and rolled to his feet.  He ambled into his bedroom, not before he gathered his clothing once again and deposited the lot into his hamper.  He didn’t own much.  In fact, he owned less now than he had in his entire life.  After an incredibly difficult span of five years, Charlie had given away virtually his entire estate to lead a simpler life.  He moved to a simple town, bought a simple house, and started writing a simple book.  He was simply and incredibly happy.