i own nothing!

Towards the Sun
Chapter 2

So we live out in our old van
Travel all across this land, me and you
We'll end up hand in hand
Somewhere down on the sand, me and you
Just as free
Free as we'll ever be

Miley and Liam are walking hand-in-hand, licking at ice cream gelatos, and talking in a very natural, non-celebrity way. They had arrived in Mexico late last night when all the townspeople were asleep in their bungalows and the streets were empty and the only visible light was a midnight bar where drunk men waste the night away. It was empty, but it was homey. So they turned off the car in a vacant parking lot, pulled a blanket up to their chins and slept in the comfort of each other until the early morning market-goers woke them.

There are many locals here. Mostly women carry baskets and fill them with fresh corn and oranges and tortilla flour, and stop at each of the farmer stands that are lined up in dozens of rows. Along with food, there are stands with beaded jewelry and wood carvings and handmade dresses and bags. The strong aroma of tamales, sopas, and dulces stream through the air and it fills Miley's stomach and mind with a fulfilling complacency.

She finishes her ice cream and tosses the remnants into the trash as they walk by. With her hand now empty, she latches it onto Liam's so that she is pressed against his side and stretches up on her toes to kiss a spot on his neck. He pleasantly smirks at that and bends down to take her lips into his own. They have what you would call "a moment"- a serene, beautiful, perfectly happy moment. And then just continue walking down their trackless path of people and food.

The sun is shining down profusely on their bare shoulders as it burns over their heads. Its flame is hot, yet daunting, but it is giving Miley a warmth that she hasn't felt before. She can feel the salt from the ocean air seep into her pores and like some rejuvenating exfoliate; she is renewed through mind and body. But something is bothering her and it's the begging children. Every time she passes one in their tattered clothes and dirty faces, their hands cupped out with pleading eyes, she quickly hands them a dollar bill. And Liam is starting to catch on.

He speaks up, "We're not going to have any cash left by the time we leave here."

"But I can't help myself," she exhales sadly, "They all look so desperate.."

Liam looks at her for a moment and then reaches into his own pockets. "Here," he takes a handful of change out of his pocket, "I'll start over there and I'll meet you in the middle."

"Race ya!"

She rushes to the far right and dishes out dollar bills like it's her job. For every dollar, there's a weight lifted. For every smile, there's a reflection of one on Miley's face. She lets her hair fly through the wind and her money fly out her hands and she just doesn't care. She does not care. Because all Miley needs is love. She has only ever wanted peace with a world of people that make war with the person she is and the raunchy persona she displays on stage. If only those people could see her now, and get off their computers and escape their tiny bubbles of living then maybe it would all be clear: that Miley's heart is bigger than the lies they tell.

She peaks over at Liam who is quickly, yet graciously, handing their money away too. He looks so funny and out of place- so tall and handsome and strong, bending over every child and needy adult giving them a gift that may only pay for two pounds of cornmeal, but a donation none the less. It suddenly comes as a realization to her how special Liam is to her. Maybe it's because of his compelling stature or his endlessly giving heart that makes her hold on to him like he's the only safe person she knows. And maybe it's the fact that he too left everything to travel the world with his girlfriend in hopes of finding her true self..

"Ha I win!"

Liam is already waiting for her with that gorgeous smirk on his face. Her face scrunches up in annoyance of losing and exclaims, "But my side had more people! And you have really long legs! And-"

"Oh but I forgot to mention," he cuts in, "winner has to buy their girlfriend something really cool for being the loser."

She thinks for a moment with a sneaky smile and sticks her tongue out at him. "Fine, I'm the loser then."

They walk back into the bustle of the market and stroll through. There are wooden carvings and maracas and dream catchers hanging from the top of small white tents. Every now and then a dog can be found sleeping in the shade of a table or next to a food stand begging for scraps. Miley likes the simplicity of it all and the feeling of working hard to live not living to work hard. It is a concept that she tucks into the back of her mind to revert back to in time.

"You know what," she stops and faces Liam, "I don't want you to buy me anything."

"Okay," he smiles, as if he's very proud of her selfless decision. And so they walk away from the market and out into the streets.

They start walking down the sidewalk, passing by small restaurants and apartments and dead alleyways. She smiles into the sun and it radiantly smiles back. She is slowly being lifted off the ground to be suspended in a comfortable, floating state where she can look down upon the world and watch. Where she can pick and choose the people she wants to have encounters with and hat on the planet she wants to see. Whatever her heart tells her.

They step into a bar- it's quiet from the morning but there is an air of anticipation as to what crowd the night will bring. And it doesn't matter that it's Tuesday, there is no weekend worth saving all the celebration for just two days- these people party every night, cheer on every breathe of life and celebrate every death. They just live; they don't have to be restrained by the day of the week or a schedule or reality. Dreams become reality.

"This is so nice," she says as they sit down on the stools.

"I'm glad you're enjoying yourself," he comments and orders two cold waters for them.

"I'm free," she states matter-of-factly.

He kisses her forehead, "Know where you wanna go next?"

"For once in my life- no," she laughs.

"Agua," the bartender states as he slid the icy glasses towards them. They are wet with condensation and Miley feels brave.

"Where would you rather be right now?" she blatantly asks him and Liam laughs/chokes on his water in surprise.

He rubs his forehead in thought and Miley naively starts to wonder if he even understands English.

"Mi hijo," he sighs and grabs a rag and begins rubbing furiously at the counter. My son.

"What about your son?" Liam questions and watches the man with his brow furrowed and a storybook past open wide.

"He has a boat," the man says in a very thick accent, "And he sails to the islands, sometimes with other people." He throws the rag into the sink behind him and rests on the counter, looking them straight in the eyes. "I wish to be with him but I can't leave this." He spreads his arms wide and motions to the bar.

"Where does the boat leave?"

"About a dozen miles south of here. His name is Rocio and he has a big yellow boat."

December 21, 2010

It is beautiful here and so are the people. I feel alive.

reviews are much appreciated! any miam fans out there?