Page 21 of Be My Summer

Joy crept into my spirit and didn’t leave until I closed my eyes for the night, hoping every day of my life were last the last two.

CHAPTER FOUR

I spat the paste in the sink and tipped the cap full of mouthwash over into my mouth. As I gargled, I peered at my phone’s screen. I didn’t have the nuts to end the call. Summer slept so peacefully on the line. She was surrounded by the things she loved most, enjoying a snooze.

Nature.

Pages.

Comfort.

Sunrise.

Our call had been connected since I dialed her digits twelve hours ago. It was now seven in the morning and I was heading to my office in a few. I wasn’t sure if she had anywhere to be, but I hoped she didn’t.

In fact, I hoped she never did. If she stayed in my world for as long as I wanted her to, she’d never have to depend on a clock to wake her up so that she wasn’t late to get on someone else’s clock. She’d let her body wake her when it was ready. When she was ready. And, her days could be spent doing whatever the fuck she wanted.

Her library would be stocked with enough books to keep her nose buried for years. Our windows would be neverending so she could watch the sun rise and set. Picnics in the park would be plentiful. So would date night. And, we’d celebrate her birthday the entire month of September instead of one day, because she deserved thirty days of uninterrupted praise and accommodations.

I miss those eyes. I admitted, inwardly.

Though the phone was muted, I wanted to call out to her just to see her stir awake and reveal those big, brown rounds.

Summer. I prayed she heard my thoughts.

Wake up, baby.

I rinsed my mouth and dried it with the face towel before holding it underneath the hot water. A smile stretched across my face. She was snuggled under a blanket, in the midst of what looked like a hundred pillows. Her cell was propped up, still connected to the charger.

Summer.

I laid the towel against my face and inhaled the warmth, opening up my passageways and making breathing much easier. Waking up stuffy after sleeping with the ceiling fan and air conditioner on was nothing new for me. It happened more often than not, especially with the weather beginning to change. Though subtle, the changes were notable.

Nights were cooler.

Mornings were cooler.

Temperatures during the day were down by a few degrees.

“Ahhhhhhhh–”

I removed the towel from my face just before my limbs locked completely. Summer’s voice disrupted my entire nervous system.

Be easy, I warned my heart.

Her yawn ended with squinted eyes and confusion that lingered on her features even when she realized where she was. She discovered her phone immediately. A gentle smile turned her lips upward.

“Good morning,” groggily, she greeted me.

Good morning, baby.

The words didn’t surface quick enough, but they were right on the tip of my tongue. For now, there were only stares. Intent ones. Ones full of admiration. Adoration. Inclination. Summer did something to me. Something for me.

“Good morning, baby.”

“I fell asleep on you, huh?”

“You did, but that’s alright.”