Summer, Before the Rain Came

Kieron leans over the handlebars of his mountain-bike as he waits on the gravel shoulder by the side of the road. He listens to the zipper-buzz of the grasshoppers hidden amongst the tall grass. It?s a dry and dusty day, the long, hot summer taking its toll on the trees and grass. Every so often, a car drives by kicking up a grainy, brown mist around him. He doesn?t pay much attention to it. Patiently he waits. He can wait all day, under the heat of the sun and amongst the dusty, dry air, because he is waiting for her. Emma comes out from the back of Swirlies, the roadside frozen custard shop just outside of town. She?s been working there for the last three summers since she turned fourteen. Mr. Stanley follows her out; he appears like he?s trying to push a smile onto his sullen soft, doughy face. ?Well, Emma,? he breathes, ?What can I say? It?s been a pleasure.? ?Thanks, Mr. Stanley,? Emma replies as she removes her Swirlies apron. ?It?s been awesome.? ?I'll miss your spunk, let me tell you,? Mr.Stanley sighs, ?Who's going to deal with those late-night road-racing yahoos from now on?? Emma winks. ?Just give them a bit more hot fudge on their sundaes. They?ll be fine.? As she hands him the apron, he passes her back an envelope. ?Threw in a little something extra,? he says. She smiles and nods as she looks towards the ground, her lips stretched tight. Kieron can tell that she?s touched by the gesture but she would never show a crack in her sassy veneer to Mr. Stanley. As he hugs her, he says, ?You take care of yourself.? Emma replies, ?You too.? Then she grabs her bike leaning against the side of the shop and walks away without looking back. ?Hey Em,? Kieron says with a nod. Emma hops onto her bike. As she pedals past him, she says, ?Let?s go.? Kieron spins his bike around and follows her. She raises herself off the bike seat as she pedals, faster and faster. Her jean-shorts are hacked off practically to the under-seam allowing her long, white legs to pump with power and fluidity. Kieron instantly regrets wearing full-length denims. It?s a challenge to keep up with her, but he pedals hard so that he could ride by her side. Emma turns to him, her ruby lips stretched into a playful smile, her translucent green eyes pinching. She opens into a gleeful laugh, turning her face to the sun and the sky, the light strands of her cinnamon bob fluttering about, then leans forward and pulls away. Kieron grimaces, grits his teeth, and chases after her. Within a few minutes, they have reached the town. They slow down as they pass through. They ride by the convenience store --no green apple slushies today-- and Mitzi?s Café. Kieron notices Emma?s head turn as they pass by, a regretful expression on her face. She would love to have one of their pecan danishes, but Mitzi?s isn?t open on a Sunday. Kieron?s own sights stray as they round a corner and bike past an auto-shop. His thoughts linger on a twelve-year old coupe parked in front of the garage, ?$1500? scrawled on the windshield. Before the summer, he had thought for sure he would have been driving around town in it, Emma riding shotgun. It wasn?t meant to be. They stop by the movie theatre when they spot a couple of Emma?s girlfriends standing outside, deciding on which of the two films to see. Emma advocates for the thriller, but then shrugs and laughs, ?If you show Morris a little cleavage, he?ll let you into the second movie after, anyway.? Kieron grins and rolls his eyes. He thinks if the girls showed Morris their toes he?d let them sneak in for free. He was a piss poor theatre attendant. As the girls continue to chat, he reminisces fondly about the theatre, specifically an evening at the beginning of the summer; his first date with Emma. Was it a date though? Does being together as part of a group of friends count as a date? She had sat beside him, shared his popcorn, sipped from his straw when she had finished her own drink, and never moved her arm from the armrest even as he pressed his against hers for the entire second half of the film. It was a date, he decides. After a few minutes, each girl hugs Emma before she and Kieron continue their ride through town. They cycle around the town square, past the large, gazebo where the high school students would hang out after classes. This was where their classmate Doug Furlong, during a late night group party in the square, cupped his beefy hand around Emma?s ass. Many guys had imagined the sensation of her tempting bottom sliding along their sweaty palms. It took a moment of beer-induced courage and impulsive stupidity for the school football team?s left tackle to actually go for it. Guys weren?t sure if they were supposed to be impressed or envious. Beside the gazebo is the fountain?where Doug had found himself floundering in the water after Emma flipped him into it a few seconds after his unwanted grope. Kieron had stood back enjoying the moment. He always knew Emma could take care of herself. As they breeze through the neighbourhoods, they first pass the elementary school playground. Past the sandpit, where they had first met but played separately when each thought it was too ?icky? for boys and girls to get along, then the old monkey bars, where they had discovered a couple of years later that it wasn?t so bad to be friends with each other. Further along the road, they cycle onto the grounds of their high school. They skirt along the school track-field and stop for a moment to remember when Emma, as graceful and as speedy as a gazelle, had won the regional gold medal for the 400 and 800 meter races the last two years. Kieron can?t bear to look at the baseball field, though; his last throw from second to home plate during the championship game this past season is still a raw wound. It had been a perfect throw. Almost. Three months later, Emma still shakes her head. ?The ump blew the call,? she grumbles. She reaches over and pokes him in the arm. With an unwavering gaze, she insists, ?He blew the fucking call.? Kieron grins and sighs. ?Yeah. You were robbed,? she adds. He suddenly feels like bricks have been moved off his chest. Slowly they coast down the school?s driveway. She can?t help herself, turns her head and steals a glance toward the building. ?Hate it that you won?t be here for senior year,? Kieron offers. Emma says nothing. Within moments, she?s pedaling again. The two dodge and weave along the roads, chasing and tagging the other. Within minutes, they are on the outside of the town again, passing through rolling hills. ?Shortcut?? Emma shouts out. Kieron cringes inwardly. It always jangles his nerves just thinking of 'the shortcut'. He takes one look at Emma, her smile bright, her eyes wide. There is no doubt in his voice. ?Go!? They turn their bikes sharply, blow past the shoulder of the road, bursa escort and careen headlong into the trees and bush. The ?shortcut? is barely a trail down a steep slope through the lush foliage. It?s rough and slippery and filled with endless twists. Tendrils of branches streak by within inches of clawing at their faces. Kieron grips his handlebars, feeling his wheels slide out to the left and then the right. His heart quickens and his breaths come in spurts and gasps. He clenches his teeth --hell, his whole body is clenched-- as he almost swerves into a ditch to avoid a rock along his path. He wonders if this is worth it, this false show of bravado. ?Yeah! Oh shit!? Emma laughs, relishing the thrill. She flaunts her exuberance, whooping and screaming through the forest. Kieron thinks she?s insane, yet he?d follow her off a cliff if he could fly with her for a few seconds. Faster they dive down the hill, bouncing, skidding. It goes on forever: trees and ditches and rocks. They?re going to be killed, Kieron is sure of it. Like quail flushed from the tall grass, they shoot out from the trees at the bottom of the hill. They hammer their brakes, sliding across the grass and dirt of an open field. Kieron nearly spins into Emma but manages to stop, aligned almost perfectly beside her. They look at each other, breathing hard, grinning stupidly as if they had just escaped a tornado. ?Oh my God! That rocked!? Emma declares. ?Holy crap!? Kieron sputters, half-chuckling, half-gasping for breath. Emma swallows and nods. She cocks her brows and smiles sheepishly. ?Well, this is why we have mountain bikes, right?? Kieron shakes his head. ?Never again.? Her expression suddenly softens somewhat. She inhales deeply and sighs, ?Yeah.? They climb off their bikes and walk them through the grass of the field. A soft chime and hum of music calls to them in the distance and they stroll towards it. The music grows louder and as they approach it, the sounds of chatter and life mingle with it. Soon Kieron and Emma walk up to the edge of the carnival, a county fair to celebrate the end of summer vacation. They set aside their bikes along a fence and enter, passing booths and tents. The smells of buttery popcorn, salty hot dogs, and sugary confections whet their appetite. Kieron barely has to suggest getting candy floss before they are standing behind a tent, pinching and pulling at wads of the sweet, sticky blue cotton heaped like a volleyball on top of a paper cone. Emma giggles as she struggles with the strands that have melted and stuck to her fingers. Kieron watches as she licks them one-by-one. She pauses at her index finger, regarding it for a second, then she holds it in front of his face. Kieron grins and frowns, wary but curious. Emma?s finger remains extended. She gazes at him and cocks a thin brow with intent. He hesitates, then, like a squirrel stealing a nut, he quickly leans forward and samples her finger with a swift lick of his tongue. The taste of the candy floss doesn?t even register, but he thinks he wouldn?t mind trying it again. Instead, Emma places her finger in her mouth and cleans it off. Kieron looks at his own thumb, coated in globs of the blue sugar. Before he realizes it, Emma takes him by the wrist and pulls up his hand. His mouth slips ajar but he doesn?t make a sound as he watches her swirl her pink tongue around his thumb before slipping it past her lips. A faint shudder swells in his gut as he feels the softest pressure on his digit when she presses her tongue on it and sucks gently. His thumb emerges from her mouth clean of the sugar, but slick and glossy with her saliva. He examines it as the girl giggles with her mouth closed and backs away around the corner of the tent. They continue ambling through the fair, not saying much but always sharing warm smiles and easy glances. Their arms and the back of their hands touch and brush against one another constantly. It feels both nice and odd at the same time. ?Hey! Hey Red!? someone calls to them. They turn towards a guy standing by a pitching tent. He?s wearing a backwards ball-cap covering his slick and wiry dark hair and a denim shirt with the sleeves torn off exposing his brawny, tanned arms. With a baseball in his hand, he beckons them over?or more like he beckons Emma over. ?Yeah, you Red. Don?t be shy. Come over here sweetheart.? Emma crosses her arms as her jaw shifts to the side along with her hips. Kieron eyes the man. The carny smirks and rolls his eyes. ?Yeah, yeah. Bring your ?pal? along with you, too.? He waves them over again, points to all the stuffed toys jammed all over his booth, and says, ?Come on. A girl like you should be walking around here with one of these under her arms, don?t you think?? Emma and Kieron remain unmoved. The carny pauses then shrugs indifferently. ?Okay, whatever,? he sniffs, rolling the ball down his tattooed arm and popping it up at the bend of the elbow before catching it again. ?Probably just a waste of money anyway if you can?t throw.? He chucks the ball at a stack of wooden milk bottles, knocking them over. ?Alright,? Emma says. ?Atta girl,? the carny slurs as he rolls a toothpick in his mouth. His leer slinks up and down Emma's tall, toned frame as she approaches the booth. ?Just knock the bottles over and you can take your pick of anything you see, Red,? the carny continues, brushing his slick, black moustache with a finger. He takes a step back, putting on a tall, buff pose. ?And I mean anything in my booth.? Emma gives her head a little dismissive shake and asks ?How much?? ?Three balls, three bucks,? the carny replies, holding out his palm. Emma drops the cash on the booth's counter. The carny grins and places three baseballs in front of her. He winks at her and says, ?Good luck, sweetness.? Kieron and the carny step back. Emma turns to the side and plants her feet apart, striking a fetching stance upon her svelte legs, staring down the forty foot stretch, narrowing her eyes on the milk bottles. She rolls the first ball in her hand before finding a grip. ?Don't strain yourself, red.? The carny chuckles to himself, bemused, while Kieron watches quietly, admiringly. Emma winds up and throws, hurling a laser at the targets. The ball whizzes past to the left of the bottles and thumps against the canvas backstop. ?Ooh, so close, Red,? the carny says with a smirk. ?Almost, Em.? Kieron adds, ?You've got this, no problem.? Emma launches another ball at the targets. This time it flies over the top, missing by an inch. ?Nice throw,? the carny chuckles. He moves up close behind her and reaches for her waist. ?You want me to help you adjust your position...? Before Kieron can step forward, Emma turns, pierces the man with a harsh glare and says, ?No.? Her voice is sharp yet calm, bursa escort bayan but her look tells the guy to ?Fuck off? in no uncertain terms. The carny backs up, his hands raised, still grinning like a letch. ?Alright. Okay. Have at it, girl.? Kieron grins to himself. A second later, Emma throws her final ball. It crashes into the stack dead-center, scattering the milk bottles. ?Yes!? Emma shouts, her hands in the air as she jumps up. ?Alright!? Kieron yells. He gives her high fives when she's done bouncing on her toes. She spins on her heels, points to the stuffed toys, and addresses the carny, ?I want the polka-dot rabbit.? The guy crosses his arms and shrugs. ?Nope.? A frown quickly drops over Emma's eyes. ?What?? ?What do you mean, 'nope'?? Kieron snaps, seething at the carny. The guy waggles a finger toward the target. ?You have to clear all the little bottles off of the platform,? he says, pointing at the one bottle that didn't roll off the side. ?Sorry, Red.? ?You just said to knock them over,? she fumes. ?Rules are rules,? the carny chuckles. He leans towards her and adds, ?But I'd be happy to offer you a free ball, sweetheart.? ?I'll take three,? Kieron interjects, holding out a five dollar bill in the guy's face. Emma turns and smiles. ?That'll be five bucks for three balls for you, pal,? the guy says with a sneer, snatching the bill from Kieron. Kieron takes the first ball. As he winds up and throws, he grunts, ?Only need one, asshole.? The ball strikes the stack and the bottles fly about. The last one spins on the platform like a drunk at the wheel before finally tumbling off. Emma jumps up and down again, clapping her hands. ?Yes! Yes! Yes!? Kieron steps between her and the carny, suddenly realizing for the first time that he's actually just as tall as the guy. ?Polka-dot rabbit,? he says with a curl on his upper lip. The carny offers a scoffing snort but then just grabs the stuffed animal and hands it over without further retort. As they walk away from the booth, Kieron passes the rabbit over to Emma. She holds it out in front of her as she walks, smiling like a five year old. ?Didn?t think you?d go for something so cute,? Kieron chides her. ?I like its dark brown eyes. They?re kind of sad but thoughtful,? she replies, tilting her head aside as she continues to regard it. She nudges her shoulder against Kieron. ?Kind of like yours.? Kieron stuffs his hands in his pockets, looking down at the grass and grinning. He nudges Emma back. ?You?re right,? he says, ?The ump blew the call.? A little while later, as they're finishing their hotdog rolls and pink fizzy lemonade, they pass by more little tents and booths filled with people selling junky novelty items and offering more games of chance. ?Hey, look at that,? Emma says nodding toward a sign propped outside a small purple tent adorned with stars and moons: ?Alannah: Fortune-Teller?. She looks at Kieron with an unexpected hopefulness in her eyes. He can?t hide his scepticism however. ?Looks pretty cheese-ball,? he grumbles. ?It?s supposed to be,? she chuckles. ?C?mon, It?ll be stupid-fun.? ?You?re kidding, right?? Kieron replies. ?Why? You don't believe in fortune-tellers?? A woman asks as she suddenly emerges from the tent. Holding a shawl around her shoulders, wearing a long intricately patterned skirt, and large, golden hoop earrings that slip out from beneath a thick wave of raven hair that drops past her shoulders, she certainly plays up the appearance of a gypsy. ?Not really,? Kieron chuckles. ?That's too bad,? the woman says. She smiles and holds her palm up to his face like a mirror. ?Such a lovely aura. I would very much like to read you.? She speaks with a compelling accent and tone of voice, as if her tongue were coated with honey. Kieron feels unexpectedly uneasy and looks aside toward Emma; she's beaming. ?She wants to read me,? he says sceptically. ?You have to do this, Kieron,? Emma replies, shaking his arm. The woman tilts her head and cocks her dark brow. ?Five dollars for a few minutes? It's a token sum, but the pleasure would be mine.? A five dollar bill instantly appears in Emma's hand. ?Em...? Kieron starts to protest. ?It's for the rabbit,? Emma insists. ?And this will be fun!? The woman takes the money and gestures towards the tent. ?Please enter.? ?We do this in there?? Kieron asks, suspicious. ?How old are you?? the woman asks. ?Seventeen in September.? She pulls open the tent flap and beckons him with her hand. ?Then you may enter Alannah's tent.? Emma and Kieron chuckle and shrug in unison. ?Alright,? he sighs, shaking his head as he walks in. When Emma approaches the tent, the woman steps in front of her. ?I'm afraid only one may enter at a time.? ?Really? But I want to...? The woman holds up a hand and shakes her head. ?We cannot distract his aura,? she insists. She leans forward and almost whispers, ?And it doesn't take a spiritualist to tell that you're a distraction to him, dear.? Emma eases back. A tender blush sweeps across her cheeks, and it's not from the sun. After a moment, she looks over the shoulder of the woman and calls into the tent, ?You're on your own. I don't want to distract your aura!? Kieron turns and flashes an anxious look before the flaps close. It's dark inside the tent, with only a few small, strategically placed lights casting a shadowy glow. The heavy tarp not only blocks out the light, it dulls the sounds of the carnival outside. A pleasant scent of flowery incense wafts through the air. ?Have a seat,? the woman Kieron presumes is 'Alannah' says. Hesitating momentarily, he finally settles down onto a chair in front of a small table upon which a velvet cloth lies draped over some object. Alannah walks around the table to the back of the tent and removes her shawl. Her hair is so black and dense that, when she turns, it appears as if her cotton-white face is floating in the darkness, grinning cherry-red lips and cat-like eyes centrepieces of her enchanting attractiveness. As she steps into the light and seats herself at the table across from Kieron, it's not her face that draws his attention, though. The removal of her shawl exposes a buxom, silky bosom burgeoning from the top of her peasant blouse. Even with the dim lights they are radiant. Kieron consciously has to pop his eyes back into their sockets. ?Well then...Kieron, was it?? Alannah asks. He offers a mute nod. ?Lovely name for a lovely young man,? she says as she pulls away the velvet cloth. ?Let's begin.? A perfect sphere of immaculate, shiny glass is revealed on the table in front of Kieron. He stares at it for a second then smirks and says, ?Really? A crystal ball? Did you Google 'fortune-telling' or something?? ?You were expecting bat wings and a cauldron of blood?? Alannah replies, unfazed. escort bursa ?Alright,? he sighs and slumps back against his chair. She holds out a small velvet satchel for him. ?Take four crystals and place them around the orb on the table, north, south, east, west.? He reaches in and pulls out four shards --one amber, two blue, one red-- and sets them down around the crystal ball. ?Good,? she says, easing forward in her chair. She lays her hands on the table to the sides of the ball, palms up. ?Please take my hands.? Kieron eyes her carefully, then finally concedes and leans forward, placing his hands on top of hers. As he feels her fingers wrap around his hand, he's struck by how soft her skin is. There's something unexpectedly soothing and comforting about them. It's enough of a distraction away from the fact that his view of the crystal ball is now flanked on each side by her mesmerizing bosom. Alannah's eyelids drift closed. Her breaths deepen as her chin slowly tilts upward. Kieron feels a twitch at the edge of his lip, but he can't crack a grin. He's uncertain where to focus his attention. ?Just look into the centre of the orb,? she says, as if reading his mind. Doing as he's told, Kieron gazes into the ball. After a moment, light seems to reflect off the four crystals and fill the ball with a cascading dance of twisting colours. He leans in closer, entranced. It's beautiful and hypnotic. ?Mmm,? Alannah hums, pursing her lips into a seductive smile. She takes a deep breath, her chest rising, before sighing once again. Her hands squeeze Kieron's a bit more tightly. Two minutes pass. He can feel the sweat build on his palms as he watches her slowly breathe. She holds her breath, her head fully tilted back, and then finally blows it out in one long, drawn out release. It's enough to send a quiver up his spine. Alannah opens her eyes. The look on her face, dreamy, flushed, grinning, makes Kieron wonder if she needs a cigarette. ?Delightful,? she says as if she has just consumed manna. ?You have the most exquisite aura, Kieron. Such vitality and pureness of spirit. To experience it is truly special.? Kieron blinks and stitches his brow together. ?Uh...thanks?? She squeezes his palms again and locks her midnight-black eyes upon him. ?It's special, Kieron,? she repeats, her voice deepening. ?Share it freely, share it wisely and you have the power to make someone feel just as special.? Her words slip through him like a silk thread through the eye of a needle. Still holding her hands, Kieron tilts his head to the side and forces a grin. ?Um...weren't...aren't you supposed to tell me my future or something?? ?It's bright...radiant and resplendent,? Alannah replies all breathy and sultry, ?The flower continues to blossom and stand tall above the grass, strong and defiant in its alluring beauty. People will want to hold it, inhale it, press it up against their skin and absorb it into their being.? ?I'm a flower?? Kieron asks. ?There will be dry days and cold days,? Alannah goes on, ?And soon the rain will come. A harsh, torrential downpour...do not succumb to it.? He suddenly feels a pang of angst swell inside of him. Worry crosses his mind and seeps into his eyes. ?Kieron,? Alannah says in a whispering tone only his ears seem attuned to, ?Remember that the rain washes everything clean. The flower finds new life in every drop of water.? Alannah releases his hand and stands up from the table. Kieron's gentle brown eyes drift like a feather down toward the crystal ball. He tries to convince himself that the woman is an actress reciting lines of mystic mumbo-jumbo. Somehow, he's not so sure if he can. He blinks, shakes his head, then looks up and asks, ?Is that it? We're done?? ?Oh young man,? she says with a broad smile on her luscious lips, ?We are done.? She raises her hand toward the tent's exit. ?Ah...okay,? he says as he stands. ?Right...so, thanks I guess?? Alannah follows him out of the tent where Emma stands waiting. ?So, what happened?? she asks as if he has next weekend's winning lottery numbers. She giggles, ?Did your aura reveal your future?? He shrugs and tilts his head. ?I'm not sure I can explain what happened.? Emma looks at him quizzically. ?What do you mean? What went on in there?? ?It was a splendid moment,? Alannah interjects, standing by the tent. She really does look like she could use a cigarette. ?Really?? Emma replies. She looks back and forth toward the woman and Kieron. ?What exactly did I pay for?? Alannah laughs and turns to go back into her tent. ?Oh! Me next,? Emma says, ?I'd love a reading as well.? The woman waves her hand. ?Sorry, my love. After experiencing such a stimulating spirit, I need a momentary respite.? Emma grins crookedly. Just before she disappears behind the flap, Alannah says to Emma, ?You're a very fortunate young woman. I envy your experiences.? With that, Alannah slips away, leaving Emma and Kieron standing outside her tent, momentarily mute. ?That was weird,? Emma mutters. ?Yeah. Totally,? Kieron says with a heavy sigh. As they slowly turn and walk away, Emma nudges him. ?Did you notice her breasts popping out of her top like that? It's like a pillow fight beneath her blouse.? * Their afternoon at the carnival continues with the rides. It's at Kieron's insistence. Emma, surprisingly, isn't the biggest fan of amusement rides. She complains that everything spins and whirls and goes round-and-round endlessly, never going anywhere. She'd prefer the thrill of racing through trees on her bike, apparently. Yet she agrees to one ride after the other. She does it because she knows Kieron enjoys it. He appreciates that. They board the ferris wheel and it takes them up above the carnival. They don't notice the tufts of cloud speckling the once clear blue sky even as they reach their hands toward it. They sit close to each other, feet playfully brushing and overlapping, watching the horizon appear before them over and over, each time getting a tiny bit darker. With each revolution of the big wheel, it becomes difficult to find words and an uneasy, contemplative silence falls around them. The ferris wheel comes to a halt as passengers climb off and new ones get on. For a moment, Kieron and Emma are stopped at the highest point and the world and people down below fall further away beneath their feet. Rocking gently in their seats, they stare off into the distance, listening to the wind. Slowly, their hands slide along the handrail and touch. At first their pinky fingers tickle then entwine. Kieron turns toward Emma and finds her already looking back. She's smiling that smile he has seen hundreds of time since he has known her. It still sparks his soul like the first time he experienced it. Yet, there's something in her eyes --her inviting, placid, green eyes-- that stirs something from deep within. He feels like he's leaning towards her, falling forward as he speaks, ?Emma...? ?Hey Em! Kieron!? A voice suddenly bellows from down below. A large group of young people wave to them. They look down at their friends, startled.