Alone Together Alone

I let that drop as we reached the little picturesque park complete with little swing sets, slides and sandboxes.

As soon as the little girl in Erin’s arms set her eyes on it she let out a loud excited laugh/squeal type thing and struggled in Erin’s arms attempting to break free.

Erin laughed at her enthusiasm and sat her down as we got in for the little girl to run off toward the sandbox.

“She really loves sandboxes. I totally don’t get why though.” She mused lightly. “While she’s in the sandbox we’ll be able to sit under the tree though.” She said as she gestured to a tree only far enough away from the sandbox for it’s shade to just miss it. “Then I wont look so frightening.” She added the last bit jokingly looking at me with a wry smile.

Again I was floored, it was like she’d read my mind earlier. That was the exact word I thought could almost describe it.

She gently took the bag from me and motioned for me to head for the shade of the tree as she walked over to pull the sandbox toys out of the tote bag.

After she’d done that she walked over to me her jean shorts showing off her legs amazingly as hard as I tried I couldn’t help but watch them as she walked over to me.

She noticed and laughed. “You’re a perv Pete.”

I laughed back. “I’m sorry. You’re just gorgeous.” The last three words just flew out of my mouth, like word vomit.

“You were always so honest.” She word vomited back. I guess it’s contagious.

Finally something she hadn’t thoroughly thought through made it’s way into the air but it was almost like she hadn’t realized she said it.

Plus it confused me more.

“What?” I asked my confusion then made obvious.

Her eyes expanded. She really hadn’t meant to say that out loud.

“Just pretend that didn’t come out of my mouth.” She said shaking her head after her eye returned to their normal size and sat down next to me.

So I felt it was my turn to do something that may very well confuse her.

“Umm... This is going to be weird.” I stopped and realized just how many times I’d said that. “Wow, I promise one day our conversations won’t start with that.”

She looked at me with this beautiful smile. “No, with us that’s how they’ll always begin.”

I wanted to lean in and kiss her but I resisted. It was only the second time I’d really spent time with her but it hardly felt that way.

I cleared my throat trying to rid myself of that feeling. “Well... umm... What I was saying was this is weird but I have a message for you. Cleo sends her highest regards and says, ‘Your welcome.’”

Her eyes lit up and her smile grew. “Cleo huh? How’s she doing.” Then she looked over and saw Maddie trying to eat the sand. “Maddie don’t eat that!”

I looked back to the little girl who was now opening her little hand watching the clump of sand break apart and slide through her fingers before returning her attention to her mother who was looking back at me.

“Umm she’s good I guess.” I fished for the proper answer. ‘Cryptic as hell’ didn’t seem appropriate. “When did you see her last?” I figured if I knew that I’d better know what to tell her.

She laughed again leaving me puzzled. “Feels like life times ago.” She said staring off reminiscently.

I just watched her face as she seemed to be trapped in some land far off that brought a smile to her face. Seeing that I couldn’t help but smile.

She looked back at me and her smile turned to her typical wry one.

“This is going to be weird.” She quoted me. “But we’ve met before Peter.” Her eyes sparkled with mischief and delight.

This took me by surprise especially the way “Peter” rang when she said it. “Really?” I asked curiously.

“Yeah Pete.” Then she paused and looked down to her left hand that she was propping herself up on. She looked conflicted. Almost like she was afraid to tell me how we’d met before.

Just as suddenly as she sprang it on me she used her right hand to bring my face to hers.

I put up no fight, I was more eager for this than I thought she could ever know.

Our lips met and it was ecstasy. Nothing had ever seemed more perfect. Our lips mixing beautifully the simple taste of spearmint -from the gum I’d never noticed her chewing- lingering on her lips. And as we both slid our lips open to tangle tongues I realized it lingered their too.

As we finally pulled away something strange happened.