An hour. Only an hour each month to be with him. Only an hour to indulge in memories of him. I sit in the shadow of the tree, my back against its silvery smooth trunk. My name hangs in the air, a low, rustling whisper. A slender branch dips down and lightly brushes my unbound hair. Instinctively, I lean towards it, but it's already swung away. Gone. A choked sob escapes, surprising me. I thought I was past tears- apparently, I was wrong. I lean into the tree and cry into its impossibly warm bark, imagining his strong arms around me. Imagining his smoky-cinnamon scent, imagining his soft, firm lips on mine. Imagining.
A loud beep startles me. I glance at my watch. My hour is up. For a moment, I consider remaining here, wallowing in bittersweet memories. If only...
"Well..." I sigh, reluctantly getting up. "Until next month, then."
A quick breeze passes by, stirring the leaves. Gemma... The tree's willowy branches reach out to me. If only...
I turn away, twisting my hair back into a severe bun and securing it with pins. With one last glance back, I depart swiftly, silently, back to the world- the real world.
A rustling sound reaches my ears as I step through the door. Perhaps it's only my imagination, but I can almost swear that the low murmurs form words.
Until next month...