>>55796747The grey-and-black scene faded into dark as Ginger Rogers pleaded for her forgotten man. Bibi had long since taken her glasses off and now rested her head in Phos’s lap as Phos gently combed her fingernails through her protégé’s hair. Bibi’s soft and untidy locks brushed against Phos’s bare hip, sending long-forgotten and electrifying feelings dancing through her nerves.
“Bibi,” Phos called softly, “are you still awake?”
The girl’s thick eyelashes twitched ever so slightly, the vapors of her slow breath warmed Phos’s skin through her pantleg. Phos turned her head and glanced up at the wall clock. It was nearly eleven-thirty, and the sky beyond the dorm window was a black void. She leaned her head against the couch and smiled as she continued to stroke Bibi’s hair. Lucky girl, she thought. It would be a while yet before Phos could allow herself to sleep. The room was nearly silent save for the steady ticking of the clock and the gentle whirr of the DVD player. Phos closed her eyes and took a deep breath. How long had it been since she felt so at ease?
Phos looked down at Bibi and whispered to her in a tender voice. “If I ever get to have a daughter, I hope she turns out like you.”
Within her deep sleep, Bibi smiled and inched closer to her friend.
