Krabbe Cakes

Chapter 3

People all say that some kisses are life-changing.

       But I don't think it's the kiss itself. It's the aftermath.

       People tend to make things awkward by our inability to string words into sentences outside of their heads. How both parties feel plays a part, who was there to witness it; actions and unsaid words make the change. That's even if there is one.

       Affairs can become of forbidden, chaste kisses when married people persist with their mistakes. New loves flourish when the right conversations take place. It's what life was about, even before the novelty of language, communication was nothing new.

       And our first kiss wasn't life-changing. We didn't take it lightly but it wasn't the end of the world. It's the conversation that comes later that would've made the kiss something special. So, nothing came of it and to me, now, that's what feels right. Even though I cannot read your mind, I don't need to. I know you agree.

       That's not to say, I don't think about it. Consumed in my world of darkness, those lips could've belonged to anyone. To a lesser man it was a new stranger, but I could recognize the faint smell of peppermint wafting around you. Combined with your bony, prodding fingers and the way your fraying hair curled around my fingers, you were unmistakable.

       As much as I agree with our unsaid choice to leave things unsaid, as I get older I find myself increasingly curious into your motives. And if you're reading this, you would know if I had ever gotten my answers in my lifetime.

       I just hope that I gather the nerves to ask one day.

       Just know, that now every time I smell mint, whether it be peppermint or winter mint, you're the first person that comes to mind. For this reason, the moment I print these letters, or Connie does, I (or he) will be gently spraying each and every single one of the letters meant for your eyes with it. If I have to think of you every time I chew gum, so do you.

       Maybe look into trying bubble gum.

~~~~

       By the hour that it was time to head out to the movie, both of my arms had become so shaky, I would've made the perfect bartender for James Bond's martinis. It would've been easier for Tara to tie my shoes with oven mitts than it was for me.

       Regardless, we had a movie to get to and I couldn't just abandon Sadie to Tara and Mason's disconcerting couple-ness.

       "Need a hand?" Speak of the girl, and she shall appear. It wasn't ever her voice that signified her presence, it was the way she smelled that filled the air around her.

       "Actually I would rather two," I replied. "Even two new left hands would make me happy."

       Sadie nudged me foot with her toe. "You say that now. I thought things were getting better after your last bone marrow transplant."

       I didn't reply. Sadie got the hint.

       "So, why did our plans change? You hate theatres; Tara knows that."

       "Mason may have interfered and you know how she is. At least they sell great popcorn," I placated. The last thing I needed was to sic Sadie on Tara. While the girls were close friends, I had dibs on Sadie at the present moment.

       "Don't forget the two dollar butter," Tara said as she walked up from the basement, Mason's loud coughing in tow. "Are we ready to leave?"