Elle headed toward the outdoor patio just off the aquarium cafeteria without waiting to see what John wanted to do. John followed. The swirling mosaic of mini ceramic tiles was one of her favorite parts of the aquarium. She liked to follow the swirls, imagining herself as Dorothy at the beginning of the yellow brick road, where the road swirled so closely around itself. She enjoyed running her fingers across the air, painting imaginary pictures on imaginary canvases as she slid along the colorful path. Only vaguely aware of John's presence at the moment, she let herself go, tracing along and twirling around the swirling patterns of the multi-colored tiles.
The times she caught herself in these trances, the ones where she was aware that people might be looking or staring and thinking she was maybe a little off kilter or maybe even completely off her rocker but truly didn't care for the moment were the best of all. This was her version of being Monet, an impermanent version, creating pictures of fields and flowers and umbrellas in her mind as her body shifted waltzingly along en plein air. The only thing missing from this moment was her iPod playing An Horse or Tegan and Sara in her ear, giving her an awkward beat to dictate her odd combination of childlike and trance-like movements.
John didn't make fun of her. He just stood there, that left-quirked smile across his face, eyes glistening in the sunlight, staring at her as she moved to her own imaginary song. She was beautiful here. The springtime yellow sun shined brightly and reflected shades of red penny and deep copper off her long hair as she flailed to a beat or song unheard by anyone but Elle. She painted a beautiful picture across the patio with her movements. He was amused but not embarrassed. She could tell. It made her happier than she felt comfortable with, but she'd take it.
After a few more minutes dancing in the warm sun and light breeze, she was done and walked back to the double doors to enter the aquarium building. She looked over her shoulder at John.
"Let's go see the whales!"
John followed.
Love Like Air
She paints with colors red
The sun shines upon her head
She sings to the morning sun
Dances for no one
And lives love like air
He watches from 'cross the room
Smiles as she sings her tune
Afraid she'll never know
How far he'd go
He loves her like air
They'd waltz in time to sounds
That no one else can hear
He'd sweep her in his arms
And lift away her fear
She twirls in her favorite dress
Laughs like she couldn't laugh less
She smiles like no one
Could have more fun
Dancing on air
He dreamed her in colors red
Words spoken, unspoken said
Come follow me
And we'll be
In love like air
They'd waltz in time to sounds
That no one else can hear
He'd sweep her in his arms
And lift away her fear
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I like this part of the character: "The times she caught herself in these trances, the ones where she was aware that people might be looking or staring and thinking she was maybe a little off kilter or maybe even completely off her rocker but truly didn't care for the moment were the best of all."
ReplyDeleteBUT, is that you singing? That took balls! WOW! I am impressed. You have a nice low throaty voice. Reminds me of Because of You--Kelly Clarkson's voice in that. Only you're much prettier.
Oh, wow! Thank you for the kind compliments. I wish I could sing like Kelly Clarkson; she has an amazing voice!
ReplyDeleteYou shorted this chapter. The development of their connection truly begins here, but instead of taking us on the ride, you want to go "see the whales." GAH!
ReplyDeleteLyrics are okay. The melody sounds too much like a previous song.
haha. well, i like whales. pretty song
ReplyDeleteThe trance was abruptly outed, just like in real life, yes? keep wondering if they are nearing the 'exit'... I like the in-time of this. -J
ReplyDelete