Day 11: Soft/Dad or Mom
Hugs were important. Scott loved hugs. He had lots of people to hug too, and it was the first thing he did for every visitor, no matter who they were.
The postman gave a quick one arm hug that was scratchy. He smelled of paper and tape.
The ladies that came to chat with his Mom on a Tuesday were cuddly. They smelt like mints and roses. And some other flowers. But mostly mints.
The best hugs came from those closest to him.
John and Virgil. He gave them hugs and they felt wonderful because they just fit right. John smelt of books and Virgil smelt of baby powder.
Grandma's hugs were warm and made him feel happy. She smelt of burnt cookies and milk.
Grandpa's hugs were also warm, but he smelt of wheat and horses and chickens.
Aunt Val gave excellent hugs. She was all business and her hugs were tight but brief. She smelt of paper. And very rarely there was the smell of gunpowder, but Scott didn't know then what the smell was.
But the very best hugs came from his Mom and his Dad.
Dad's hugs were warm, protective. He'd pick him up and swing him around, and Scott would hug his neck while being squeezed or while being tickled. Dad smelled sometimes of oil and paper and sometimes of something he couldn't name but tasted funny on his tongue.
Mom's hugs were soft and warm and made everything in the world alright. She smelled of lavender and lilac and chocolate.
He could never get enough of those hugs.