The final afternoon at Wellton before I would go back to Traster Collins, the sun came out in a last hurrah of autumn. The warmth chased the timid cold of winter away, leaving the day sunny and heated with farewell notes written on the wind.
I was in a field outside of Wellton with my notebook. I hadn't talked to Charlie since that night, though I had talked to the others. Especially Neil. Just the thought made me smile. I scribbled in my notebook. The words forming shapes in my mind. My back was to a tree, I had discarded my shoes and socks, my knees propped up.
I looked up and saw a tall figure coming out across the way. His long stride I knew immediately, over his shoulder he had slung his coat, his white shirt bright in the light of the sun. I decided to play a little game and look back down at my notebook, pretending not to have noticed Neil as he walked up to me.
After a long while I looked back up and saw that he was gone. I gave the empty landscape a confused glance and turned back to my notebook.
"Running two feet and a shoe, a mangled mess this Picasso has rendered me. I hold out my hand and take a breath, I used to reach out for the morning to grasp only death, but no more," Came a warm voice right by my bare ear.
His breath slid over my cheek. I smiled as his hand sketched unnamed figures along my neck. He had come around the other side of the tree and now sat by me.
"That's beautiful, Rachael," He breathed, in a low voice.
He drew his arm around my torso and settled his head on my shoulder. His fingers drummed an unknown song on my stomach.
"Thank you," I replied.
I laid my own head against his chest as he placed his back against the tree. I set the notebook aside and let my legs fall over his. His arm wrapped around my waist as I settled my hand onto his chest, warm inside of his being. I looked up at him and smiled, skimming my fingers so gently over his cheek and down his neck.
"I'm going to miss this someday," He whispered.
"We'll never miss this." I replied, closing my own eyes, "We'll never leave this,"
Behind my eyelids I saw lights and scenes, dreams being birthed from moments like this. Our possible future together. He would act upon the stage as I sat in the audience. I would later write about being in love and publish great albums of poetry, and we would go home after his performances and write even greater ballads and songs upon each other's bodies. Limericks on our lips, haikus on our bellies, and sonnets on our thighs. Lovers and best friends. My thoughts shattered as I opened my eyes, his fingers had somehow found their way to the bare skin of the small of my back and rubbed softly, reminding me of roses. I sighed and smiled, looking up at him once again, his eyes still closed.
I studied his face like a painting. High cheek bones melding with intense eyes when they were open. When he laughed, his lips reminded me of figs. I giggled slightly at the thought and he opened one of his eyes, looking down at me curiously.
"What's so funny?" He asked, a grin beginning to play with his lips.
"Nothing," I replied, settling my head back onto his chest and closing my eyes with a smile.
He sighed once more and shifted closer to me, "Oh, I am going to miss this someday," He repeated so quietly.
My fingers, which had been playing with a button on his shirt, clutched the fabric of his clothing suddenly, "Then let's hold on to it as long as possible," I replied.
We didn't speak for a long time, and didn't move till the sun had disappeared and we walked back to the school, arms around each other's waists, my shoes and socks in one hand, his coat draped around my shoulders, and he carried my notebook for me.
I replayed that memory over and over and over again in my mind for so long so it was permanently embedded in my being. He was right. I do miss that afternoon.
I left the next morning, Neil driving me to the depot and kissing me for the last time for a long time to come as the steam from the train engulfed us. Little old ladies smiled and sighed, remembering their own sweethearts and better times as they watched us.
I promised to return for Christmas to see him in the play.
I always keep promises.