from Golden Rushes:

The closer they get to the water the prettier it all gets. Their walk has led them through the ups and downs and winds of the path and they are now completely surrounded by grass except for the little concrete to mark the way. Down a ways are the piers and any kind of small boat there is is there. The people are out, walking, relaxing, enjoying their boat if they have one or enjoying the boats they do not. Seeing the sails of sailboats up and flapping is a visual reminder of the fresh air and breeze that passes through here and freshens it all the more. Everything moves blissfully slow. And to move even slower, they take a seat on a bench overlooking the water.

“Yeah this is nice. Do you like it here?”

“I’m from here you know, though I’ve only been back a few months. I don’t know…I think I’ll be leaving soon. I want to head out again. I don’t know where…Somewhere to the east, somewhere on the other side. I’ve been to a few places. I want to go back…”

“To the east…I’d like to go out there some time. I think I’m heading south pretty soon. It’s calling me, it’s been calling me…It’s pretty nice here too…”

“Yeah…It’s all right…For a while…”

They quietly lean back and he stretches his arm across the backrest almost holding her like he would like to but they are not that comfortable yet. Together and side by side they enjoy where they are.

In front of them and to the side a grandfather holds a fishing line in the water to show the little one beside him how it is done. His grandson jumps with glee when a duck nearby flaps its wings and splashes. He reaches through the railing to grab it but it is out of reach. He does not understand why they cannot just grab what they want. He does not understand why they have to fish. And he does not understand why they cannot fish for duck. The grandfather laughs and pats him on the back and makes sure the kid does not fall in the water.

Zerron looks at him and then back at the water. The day as has been previously and many times stated is in fact relaxing and there are many reasons for it. She thinks and sighs.

“You’re easy to talk to.”

He laughs. He has not said anything in a while but honestly she is easy to talk to as well, even when they are not talking. He looks at her and his arm gets closer to holding her. Right now as always he is just enjoying the sound of her words.

The sea before them, the fishermen and the boats—everything looks like a big smile. They are looking at each other and smiling as well. The world can be good.

“Shall we walk some more?”

“Yeah, let’s.”

They reluctantly get up and turn and walk away—the sea and its bank is behind them now. You can never get enough but there is a time to move on. They take some stairs that cut around the grass which is the quickest way back to street level.

“I know a park—it’s quiet, relaxing. It’s near here. Do you want to see it?”

“Of course.”

At the top of the stairs is an arch announcing the entry to the bank by the sea and they pass under it and take the street that takes them to the park. Soon they cannot see the sea or its bank anymore. The buildings are encroaching and the best nature offers is hidden from them. Though plenty of lined trees poke through to break up the monotonous concrete and shade the walk, their walk has grown less green and more gray as they have had to follow a few city streets to get to where they are going. Suddenly the buildings recede and the view opens to an expansive lawn with trees in the distance.

“Yes, more grass. We like grass.”

Zerron laughs. She remembers too, maybe planned it this way. The new air energizes them and giddy, they speed up and cut across—no paths now, just grass—and choose the biggest and nearest tree and crash under it. Still no hugging. They look to the sky and the underside of the tree whose leaves with the sun coming through it looks like a wild splattered painting. Things are almost perfect.

“Good place. I could stay here for hours…”

“Hmmm, yes…”

They are drifting, thinking of themselves and the one beside them—looking at a branch and a leaf and wondering at which branch or leaf the one beside them is looking, wondering what thoughts they have…The wonder in an afternoon not foreseen…The breeze cools and soothes, they drift—thinking of taking a nap but not wanting to…

“Hey…Do you hear that?”

“Where’s that coming from?”

“I don’t know but I like it—it’s dancing music…”

She wiggles her eyes closed and dances with the grass and he looks to her and back to a cloud in the sky to listen closely with her to the tune. From a faraway and unseen source what they hear is the song of their heart, their wishes, their desires. It is the song of what their lips, their arms cannot do. It is the song of the love they fear and of the love they cannot help but feel. It is the song they need…like a leaf in the sun…painted for them…

“I’m in love and I dream…Could you be dreaming of me…Could you be wanting of me…More than a dream / I’m in love and I dream…Sunshining endless summer…Clear sky, no gray, no thunder…In my dream / I have never been so lost…Loving the life I’m feeling…Loving the love I’m dreaming with you…With you / I’m in love and I dream…Could I be what you’re dreaming…Could that really be me…In your dream / Is my dream”

The song takes them and they allow it—there is nothing else to do. He reaches over to her, she pulls him in and they kiss. Their lips are soft and they pull themselves together hard. She grips his shoulders and his back and he caresses her belly and squeezes her side. This has been too long coming and they make up for it. Their passion sings. Then they pull away just enough to allow a wisp of breeze to pass between their lips. He caresses her face and she likes it. They smile. They are dreaming…

Next Chapter: Adolfo and Helena