Totem (13 page)

              I look at Ty. He smiles at me. Then he begins to lean in. My heart begins to beat faster.

              Is he going to kiss me? The hopeful thought crosses my mind.

              Ty pauses for a split second. My body tenses up in preparation for whatever might happen. Then he reaches back behind my seat and pulls out a big basket and a blanket. I feel my body relax as my mind feels let down.

              Is it wrong to want him to kiss me so soon? No, it is definitely not. I am young and in college. I want to experience what life has to offer and right now, that is Ty. I clamber out of his car and shut the door.

              “What’s wrong?”

              I look at Ty with a confused look. I did not think I was letting my disappointment that he didn’t kiss me show. Just to make sure I straighten up my body and smile at him.

              “Nothing’s wrong,” I reply.

              “You were pouting a second ago,” replies Ty.

              “I guess I am still a little tired.”

              Ty lets out a chuckle and then signals for me to follow. As I get closer to him, he grabs my hand. Warmth travels through me as all my senses focus on the feel of my hand in Ty’s.  We walk through the grass and onto the side walk. I let out a thin smile that is unnoticeable to Ty. We walk a ways and then turn. He points at the direction we are going. In front of us is an old stone bridge only a few yards long. The water the bridge is supposed to help us over was no longer there. I look across the bayou noticing the whole thing is a little low. I’m sure in the wet season, this bridge becomes useful for getting onto the small island in front of us, but for now, it has no purpose.

              I smile at Ty as we step on to the bridge. Disregarding the picnic table on this 30 foot island, Ty picks a spot underneath the shade of a tree and lays out the blanket. He then places the picnic basket down and takes a seat. I follow his lead sitting beside him. The act of sitting takes a little more effort than usual as my sore muscles groan in protest. However, they quickly adjust when I am fully seated. Ty opens the basket revealing a bucket of fried chicken, a separate box of biscuits, three bottles of soda and some napkins.

              “I figured we would try some fake Louisiana cuisine,” jokes Ty. “It’s good in its own way but not exactly completely Louisiana style.” He pulls out the bucket and hands me a napkin. “I didn’t know what kind of soda you wanted so I got three different kinds.”

              “I’ll take the diet pop,” I respond.

              Ty hands me the soda and I give him a quiet thank you. I pull out a piece of chicken and begin munching away. It is exactly what I needed after the night I had. I take a sip of my soda savoring every little bit.

              “I’d say this is a good pick for a picnic,” I comment. I clear my throat and think of things to talk about.

              “So your sister, Sarah,” I begin again on the subject, “she is a lot older than you?”

              Ty clears his throat and I swear I see him tense up a bit.

              “Yea,” begins Ty. “I was kind of a surprise late in life.”

              Ty didn’t elaborate. He merely states what he said earlier in the day. I wait but he leaves the question unanswered.

              “Do you have any more family?”

              “I had a brother, but he died,” replies Ty.

              “I’m sorry to hear that.”

              Ok, enough with the family. I fear I am about to open up a subject that is not appropriate for a date. I take a deep breath. The air smells unique. If murky had a perfume, then this would be it. The brackish water of the bayou mixes with the heat in the air causing a surreal type of feeling as you inhale. Flowers off to the sides waft their fragrance on the breeze mixing with salt and mud.

              “So our teacher is an interesting guy.” I am becoming desperate for any kind of small talk. I think Ty gets the hint as he smiles at me.

              “Yes.” He replies. “I’ve known him for a while. He is one of those types of guys that want to associate with the muscular and fit people. So naturally he came up to me in the gym.” Ty rolls his eyes jokingly.

              “Maybe he is hitting on you.” I reply with a smirk.

              “I thought that in the beginning, but then I quickly learned otherwise.”

              “Oh, really?”

              “Yes. He is into girls and doesn’t really have a specific type. Actually he has commented on your roommate, Michelle, numerous times. The problem is he won’t date students. Even then he doesn’t have any game when it comes to women.”

              “Oh really?” I chuckle. “Maybe I’ll tell her then she can make the first move.”

              Ty just shrugs. He resituates his body and his knee touches my thigh once again sending chills up my leg. I close my eyes and every fiber of my being focuses on that one point, that singular small bridged part of our bodies touching. I place my hand close to his leg. I want to touch him but fear I might be too forward. I settle for my hand resting on the blanket lingering closely, hoping his body will shift again. How I wish his body would shift again.

              “So how did you pick this place?”

              “It’s a cool little spot. My family used to have picnics here when I was a kid,” replies Ty. “I remember when there used to be little trees on here. It’s amazing to see how they grow.”

              I look at the towering oak trees around us. They have to at least be a hundred years old. Even in his childhood, they would have been just as huge.

              “They couldn’t have been too small when you were younger.”

              Ty clears his throat and looks out over the water.

              “I guess not.” He responds. “It probably just seemed like it.”

              “So tell me about you when you were younger.” I implore.

              “What would you like to know?”

              “I don’t know.” I smile. “What was it like growing up in New Orleans?”

              “It was interesting for the most part.  I didn’t think the parades were unusual or the hurricane warnings. It was just life as I knew it. I am originally from Florida, however. My parents moved to New Orleans when I was five.”

              “Around Disney World?” I ask excited.

              “No, I lived in the pan handle part. There wasn’t a lot around me where I lived.” He paused there. “So you’re from Pennsylvania.”

              He states as a fact. All I manage was giving him an inquisitive look. How does he know that?

              “I overheard you and Michelle talking one day in class.” He states in answer to the question on my face.

              “Oh,” I reply. “Yeah, I finished high school in Pennsylvania, but my parents recently moved to Alabama.”

              We sit there a few seconds in silence watching the ripples in the water. My eyes drift to the ducks swimming happily in a group as people walk their dogs on the other side. A breeze blows the oaks causing the moss to dance lazily around. The wind finally hits my face sending my hair flying in every direction. I close my eyes in response and wait for the wind to subside. Ty lets out a laugh. I open my eyes and look at him through misplaced strands of hair. He is smiling down at me. Slowly he brings his hand up and gently pulls the hair out of my face.

              “You have such pretty hair.”

              His comment sends my heart a flutter. I didn’t notice but I slightly lean my head into his hand. His smile grows wider as he allows me to rest my head.

              “Your eyes are pretty as well. They are so blue.”

              “They kind of match your shirt.” I joke with him. I had to break the romance. I am way too young for this much.

              “They kind of do.” He chuckles.

              His fingers begin to trace the contours of my neck. The feeling alone sparks sensations deep inside. I close my eyes fully enjoying it. It only lasts a few seconds as Ty removes his hand and takes a sip of soda. I want more. Reigning in my libido, I take a sip of my own soda. The caffeine is doing nothing to keep me awake. I let out a yawn.

              “Still tired?”

              I nod my head and let out another yawn. Ty readjusts his body and crosses his legs sitting Indian style then pats his thigh closest to me signaling for me to lie down. I adjust my body to lay down resting my head where he offered.

              “So I have never even asked how old you were.” I comment.

              “I am 22.” He replies.

              “What grade are you in?”

              “Well based off of credit hours, I am a sophomore.”

              I look up at him and smile.

              “I got a late start in college.” He comments.

              I’m sure there is more to it, but I leave it at that. He slowly strokes my hair. The sensation feels great. I close my eyes concentrating on the feeling. Resting in his lap in the middle of New Orleans is the perfect release on a Saturday afternoon. I can stay this way forever and never leave. The birds chirp a happy tune as the wind blows through my hair again. Being with Ty after all the craziness of last night is relaxing. For reasons I cannot explain, I feel drawn to him. I begin to ponder my feelings for him slowly as I drift off to sleep.

“Hey.” Ty whispers in my ear.

              I quickly realize that I had fallen asleep in Ty’s lap on a date. Slightly embarrassed and really sleepy, I stretch my back and look up at him. He smiles at me. I hide my face in his lap.

              “How long was I asleep?”

              “About forty five minutes.”

              I let out a sigh and a stretch as I sit up feeling groggy.

              “I bet that never happened to you on a date.” I comment.

              “Well, at least not a first date. I like it though. It means that you are comfortable with me,” he replies.

              “Too comfortable,” I comment.

              Suddenly I am aware of the lack of sun around us. I look up and the sky is a dark menacing grey.

              “That’s why I woke you up.’ States Ty pointing at the sky. “It’s about to rain any second now. I would have woken you sooner but you are so beautiful when you sleep.”

              I hear the low rumbling of thunder in the distance. I feel the winds picking up. Then I feel a drop of water land on my skin.

              Ugh oh.

              I quickly rise looking in the direction of the car. It is a little speck across a grassy field. Ty quickly picks up the blanket and the already packed basket. He must have packed it while I was sleeping.

              “Ready to go?”

              Ty smiles at me. I nod my head and begin walking towards the little stone bridge. I jerk to a halt as light fills the sky. I look up just in time to see the lightning crackle across a purple cloud. Thunder explodes resonating in my chest as the heavens open up and rain begins to pour down in sheets. I look at Ty. He hesitates to react watching intently for what I am going to do next.

At times like these, you can do one of two things. You can shield your head. You can duck under anything in your hands in a futile effort to stay dry, or you can open your arms accepting the inevitable. You can embrace the moment knowing you will get wet. I open my arms and let out a laugh. Ty smiles back at me. Immediately I take off running in the direction of the car. My date follows in pursuit blanket and basket in hand. I lift my head up to the skies and greet the rain as I run forward. It is like being in a giant shower.

Louisiana rain isn’t cold like Pennsylvania. It is warm enough to stand in but just cool enough to relieve the heat. Immediately the rain pools and the low lying parts of the ground fill with the liquid falling from the heavens. I stop in the middle of a puddle splashing water at Ty not caring how he will respond.  His smile grows bigger and with a care free innocence of a child he hops in the puddle splashing me back. I run away in the direction of the car. Passing another puddle, I cup my hands, reach down and throw some water at Ty’s pants. At this point, we are both completely soaked anyways.

              The splashing is just me playing. In response, Ty drops the basket and soaked blanket chasing after me. I let out a squeal of excitement. Ty tackles me slowly controlling my fall as he wrestles me to the ground. I am laughing and wriggling underneath him. His grip is strong but gentle. I look into his eyes. He is smiling back at me. Ty holds my hands underneath his one left hand. His right hand presses against my hips pinning me to the ground. I try to free myself but can’t. He is way too strong for me. Slowly I give up trying and Ty’s hold loosens. My laughing subsides as I smile up at him. A feeling inside me begins building up as my mind ponders the thought of kissing him. I see it registering across his face as well.

This is the moment. It is the awkward moment on the date where there is the anticipation of the first kiss. I hold my breath as I look up at Ty. He searches my face with the same eager look as mine. As quickly as it was there, the look disappears and Ty smiles. He lets go of his hold on my hands lifting off the ground. Hovering over me, he pulls me up quickly and my body falls into his.