Runnin' Outta Moonlight
I wanna hold you till the break of dawn.
Hear the crickets sing a riverside love song.
Hey baby, all we got is all night.
Come on now we're runnin' outta moonlight.
Runnin' Outta Moonlight - Randy Houser
Mila stares out her window toward an approaching pair of headlights. She has been waiting all day for the sun to go down, which is when she has been planning to go out with her girlfriend Tina. Her anticipation rises as up pulls a bright blue collared truck. The vehicle comes to a quick stop and a large cloud of dust hangs in the air.
"One last check," Mila says as she stares down at her outfit. A pair of lightly worn jeans and a black and grey striped long sleeve shirt. She thinks about grabbing a jacket but decides against it. "The weather is too nice for that," she says before heading out the door.
She walks over to the passenger side of the lightly lifted 4-door truck and pulls on the handle to open it. Inside the driver seat sits Tina in a white tank top and jeans. The blonde shows her a smile and turns down the radio.
"Come on," Tina says. "Hop in."
Mila climbs up into the front passenger seat and gives Tina a quick kiss. "You look good," Tina tells her. She moves to put the truck into gear. "Shall we?"
"Let's go," Mila responds as she buckles herself in.
They pull out of the yard and down the driveway. The truck makes a turn onto the highway and rides smoothly down the paved road. Mila keeps starting over in Tina's direction as they drive. The sight of her in the low lights makes Mila eager for the night ahead.
"So where are we going?"
"I have a place in mind," Tina answers.
Mila runs her hand through her short hair and looks through the windshield. "Oh," she responds. "Is it far?"
"It is a little way away. Not too far."
They continue down the hilly terrain and Mila hums to herself. Tina tries to watch the road ahead but keeps becoming distracted by the cute redhead beside her. Mila notices the looks and gives her a smile.
"You should watch the road," Mila says. "We don't want you to hit something."
"Don't worry," Tina responds. She makes a turn onto a dirt road. "I know where I am going."
Mila begins to hum along with the tune playing from the radio. She moves her head around slightly with the music. As the upbeat melody flows from the speakers, Mila becomes a little louder with her tune.
Tina shows a smile as she watches Mila. The blonde tries to focus on the loose gravel of the road illuminated by the headlights but becomes captivated. Her heart rate increases slightly from the sight in the seat beside her.
She is so lively. Tina looks ahead as the truck pulls into an open field. It comes to a stop, and she puts the vehicle in park. "Come on," she says as she turns off the engine and opens her door.
Mila watches as Tina moves from the seat. The blonde steps out of the truck and gently throws the door shut. Mila opens her own door and steps out to the grass.
Tina opens the rear door and reaches into the back seat. She pulls out a folded black and white checkered blanket and closes the door again. She walks out into the field with Mila following after.
They walk together at a leisurely pace. Tina comes up on a riverbank and stops a short distance from the water's edge.
"Here we are," the blonde says, spreading the blanket down on the soft grass. She looks down the length of the moving water and takes a breath of the cool night air. "Yup. This is the place."
Mila lets out a laugh. "You can tell that from the air?"
"No," Tina responds with a chuckle of her own. She points to a small dock a short distance away. "I played there all the time when I was younger."
"That makes sense."
Tina begins to head over toward the dock. "Come on."
They walk over to where the wood of the dock meets the shoreline. Tina steps out onto the old wood which creaks slightly under her feet. Mila watches her as she walks out to the end.
"Are you sure it is safe? That thing looks kind of ancient."
Tina spins around and flashes a smile. "Don't worry. This thing will last forever."
Mila cautiously takes a step on the dock. She takes a moment to get her footing before slowly walking out toward Tina.
The blonde reaches out her hand for Mila who takes it when she reaches the end. Tina pulls her close and they listen as the wood planks let out a loud creak.
"See?" Tina whispers. "Still solid."
They stand for a moment before Tina looks out across the water. The smoothly moving water reflects some of the moonlight shining down. "Even after all this time," she says in a low voice. "I never get tired of this place."
"How could you," Mila responds. "This view is amazing."
Mila watches the water flow down the river before she catches Tina staring at her. "Tina? What is it?"
"The view is so much better with you in it," she says with a smile.
A blush covers Mila's face. "I am just happy you shared it with me."
Tina pulls the redhead into a kiss. There is a long moment of silence before they pull apart. She turns to walk back to shore. "Come on. Before this thing falls apart."
"This dock wouldn't do that to us," Mila responds. "Although I did leave my phone just in case."
"So you are okay with getting wet?"
Mila turns with a slightly confused look. "What?"
She lets out a slight yelp before she hits the water. She quickly comes back to the surface and shakes the excess liquid from her head, sending her short hair swinging.
Tina's laughter lasts for several seconds before she speaks. "Well now you are."
Mila is able to just reach the bottom of the river. She stands on a small group of rocks with her chest at the surface of the moving water. "Hey," she says.
Tina bends her knee to get closer to Mila's level. "Don't be mad," she says with a small smile. She offers her hand. "Here."
The redhead moves to take Tina's hand. With a quick jerk she is pulled back onto the dock. "Come on,' Tina tells her. "How about we get you dried off?"
They walk over to where the blanket is laid down and Tina pulls out a towel. "Take a seat," she says.
Mila sits down on the blanket. Tina wraps the towel around her head and dries her hair. "You know," Mila says as she begins to shiver a little. "I am going to need something to warm me up."
After Tina finishes with the towel, she sets it down next to her. She wraps her arms around Mila's neck and leans on her back. "Will this help?"
"Yes," Mila answers. "Much better."
"Good." Tina holds her close to give her some warmth. Mila's damp clothes cling to her body from Tina's grip. "As long as you don't get sick."
"I will be fine."
Tina is able to quickly help Mila feel warmer. She sits close to Mila's side as they look across the water. "How about we just sit here all night?"
"I would be okay with that," Mila responds. Tina places a kiss on her cheek, causing her to let out a slight sigh.
Tina pulls the blanket from under them and wraps it around their bodies. "This should help."
They get quiet as they listen to the sounds of the night. Crickets chirp a melody around them and Mila begins to hum along softly. She looks across the surface of the water as Tina listens to her. The blonde sits quietly and wraps an arm around her shoulder.
"You sound content," Tina says. "We should do this again."
"Definitely."
A yawn comes from Mila, showing that she is feeling fatigued. She lays back and closes her eyes.
Tina looks down toward her with an affectionate smile. "You ready to head back?"
"Okay," Mila replies slowly. She lays still and takes a breath of the night air. "Just give me a minute."
"Come on," Tina tells her. "Let's get you home." She slowly stands and reaches down to help Mila to her feet.
The redhead takes the hand and rises from the blanket. She stands next to Tina and brushes off her pants. "We are coming here again, right?"
"Of course," Tina responds, giving Mila a quick kiss. "Just let me know." She folds up the blanket and the two start back. They stick close to each other as Tina guides them away from the river.
They reach Tina's truck and climb inside. Tina starts the engine and they slowly head back to the road. Mila stares through the side window at a row of trees passing by in the dark. A smile shows on her face from the experience of the night.
"Thank you for tonight," Mila says. "I had fun."
Tina turns to Mila. "That is what I was hoping for."
They make it back to Mila's house and Tina brings the truck to a stop. Mila opens her door and turns to Tina beside her. She gives the blonde a kiss and her eyes sparkle. "Goodnight, Tina."
"Goodnight," Tina responds. She watches as Mila steps out of the truck and walks toward her front door. She reaches for the knob as she watches the headlights back away and turn sound. Replaced by taillights heading down her driveway. After unlocking the door, she steps inside to get ready for bed. What a great night.