The accumulated white flakes shed the forest muck
and lifted like fog and returned to the sky as the sun’s rays
increased in strength as we moved into March.
I lived on Jaded Hill.
A place where people of means lived.
Cars drove by faster than the limit allowed.
Pollution spilled through their mufflers.
I waited for next winter’s revenge
for ignoring the paths for sledding slopes.
But I had things on my mind.
I was at a party for people
who lacked a Valentine’s Day partner.
I came with a friend who encouraged me
to attend.
Nothing I had to lose got in my way,
so I grabbed my coat and slid into Lacy’s Jeep.
I placed my hands directly in front of the vents,
blasting warm air.
It had warmed up, but not by much.
The roads had slick spots here but not there.
The blind spots were hit and miss,
like my life’s affair with lovers.
I moved to the deck to catch my breath.
A woman, wearing a skirt and a dark cardigan,
leaned against the rail.
She had long, red hair
wrapped around her neck.
I surmised she hoped
to meet someone.
I subtly inched closer.
I surveyed the forest,
bringing me back to the present.
I was feet away, watching her.
I took a sip of wine.
She glanced my way.
I cracked a smile without permitting myself.
She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
“Too many people for you, too?” she said.
I set my glass on the rail.
“What are you drinking?”
“Wine,” I said. “Red wine.”
She looked at the glass and back at me. “Mind?”
“Knock yourself out.” She grabbed the glass and took a long sip. “Bitter sweet,” she said, returning the glass to the rail with her lipstick imprint.
I looked at the glass longer than I wanted to.
Her lips embraced my eyes.
“Like what you see?” She bit her lower lip
and gave me an engaging glance.
“What’s your name?” I said, scratching the back of my neck.
“Corina,” she said, extending her soft hand.
“I’m—”
“Mark,” she said. She lit another deathstick, sucked risky behavior, and blew out the ease of something new—something real.
We chatted about life, what we’d wanted most of all, and what we found out was each other.
Lacy’s wedding gift was the cabin we’d first met.
A blind Valentine’s Day date turned out happy with her ever after by my side.