Digital Desire

Somewhere on the east coast of America he sat in front of his computer. Music from the soundtrack of his life played in the background, classics and one hit wonders all songs that like a time machine recaptured his youth.

He was waiting for her, hoping she would be online tonight. He had not chatted with her in several days and he missed her something fierce.

She was on the west coast somewhere. Exactly where he was not sure, they both had agreed to keep their actual location secret, you never knew whom you were really talking to when you were on the web.

He knew that her home was near the ocean and that she often would talk about the reflection of the full moon dancing with the waves and dolphins. He did not know though if she was in California, Oregon or Washington.

She was married with three kids, all teenagers testing their wings in preparation for leaving the nest. Her husband spent, if she was to be believed, more time with his several mistresses than with her. She stayed for the children but planned on leaving when the last one sailed away.

He lived in the New England area and often told her how beautiful fall was there. Multi colored leaves dancing on the breeze.

He to was married but the passion the two of them had once shared had become cold as any New England winter on record. They often went days without talking passing each other like ghosts in the hallway.

For three years now they had chatted while playing dominoes in one of the many game rooms. They were evenly matched and played more to keep busy while chatting than out of a sense of competition.

They discussed their dreams, their hopes and their fears. They laughed and they sometimes cried.

Once she had offered to call him so they could talk live but he had cold feet. A year later he returned the offer but then it was, her with cold feet.

He often found his inbox filled with cards and notes from her, ranging from the serious to the silly. The notes usually contained a smiley face and a quick hello. He was not quite as prolific as her keeping up with her though proved difficult. He was just not as witty as she was.

He missed the nights when she was unavailable. With three teenagers she was often out late which put a crimp in their communication with the time difference and all. Many nights when she was ready to chat he was already in bed snoring away.

What surprised the both of them was how strong their feelings for each other had become. Based solely on words read on a monitor screen. Even with three thousand miles between them they had difficulty checking their nerves at the door. Each keystroke carried meaning intended and unintended.

Would they ever meet? Neither knew the answer to that question. They dreamt about it. They joked about it. But reality always brought them crashing down to earth. Many miles, three children and two spouses separated them. A distance that even the internet might be unable to bridge.