Snow Dreams

Throttle

by Morning

 

As much as she hated winter in Chicago Charlene Davidson had to admit that the first snow fall was pleasant to watch. It had been snowing hard all day so she'd closed the garage early and sat staring out of her bedroom window. She refused to think about digging out in the morning or the gray slush it would most assuredly turn into. She would just sat and watch it tumble from the sky. Watch it turn the bleak dirty streets of her neighborhood in to a wonderland of white softness.

She pondered the scene a bit longer before going to the closet and pulling out her heavy winter parka, and boots. She dug through some boxes to find the warm woolen mittens and the long white scarf, her Grandmother hand knit and had given her, just a few months before she died. Charley needed to feel not only the warmth of soft material that would surround her neck and hands but the added warmth of the memories that were lovingly attached.

Walking out into the night air Charley stood for a moment watching the lone street light that shown on the corner. She observed how the snowflakes seem to stop and dance in the soft glow just before settling on their new home. It was always so strange how quiet everything got when the snow fell particularly at night. It was if the whole city had taken a moment to stop and breath letting all it's troubles and worries be absorbed into the white silence.

It was also a very lonely feeling, the suddenly sadden mechanic pulled her coat tighter around her shoulders trying to protect herself from a chill not produced by the weather but by the memories of happier times lost. Times when snow meant building a snowman with her dad and going inside to the hot chocolate and warm cookies her mom would have waiting for them. A warm tear slowly made it's way down her rosy cheeks and stopped at the hand of someone she hadn't noticed walking up close behind her, who turned her to face him

"Why the tears Charley Darlin'."

Charley looked up and saw the one face that put all her hurt back in the past where it belonged. It was odd to see how the cold had little effect on him. The winter jacket he wore was primarily so he wouldn't look conspicuous among the general population, but he still wore no shirt under it just the familiar red scarf

"No bike and no bros, is everything alright?" She questioned realising he was alone.

"Everything's fine, we do have separate lives Charlene. Besides, I like getting out and walking; it gives me time to think. The Big Cheese is snowed in so I thought I'd take advantage of the lull and see how you're doin'. I didn't think I'd find you looking so down."

"I'm okay, really."

"No, I still see a little sadness in those pretty eyes. Now what would it take to put a beautiful smile on that face?" He smiled mischievously.

"Just what do you have in mind?" Charley returned the smile thinking he was finally going to respond to all the signals she'd been giving him.

He picked her up and proceeded to carry her across the street and plop her down in a big snow bank. Charley screamed in total shock, her arms and legs flailing wildly.

"No, he did not just plunge her into all that snow. Not Mr. Take everything so seriously.!"

Her green eyes glared at him and while he snickered at her, Charley reached up and grabbed him by the scarf yanking him into the snow, head first.

"Now laugh about that, Big Bad Leader!" She smirked triumphantly.

The shocked tan Martian looked at her, his face covered with snow. "That's it, no more Mr. Nice Guy."

Charley didn't like the sound of his voice and tried to scramble away but his tail caught hold of her waist and pulled her back into the snow. She screamed, giggled and pleaded but he wasn't about to let her up.

"No fair!!! You can't use your tail. It's taking an unfair advantage, that's not like you."

"It's not? Do you think you really know me Charlene?" He looked down at her gently wiping some of the snow from her face.

Charley could feel her cheeks getting warm as the blood rushed to her face. "I-I-I…." She stammered not sure of what to say.

"Do you know what I do in a case like this?" He smiled reaching up taking off his specs.

Charley looked into his almond shape sparkling garnet eyes and was scarcely able to whisper, "No." Dreamily she rested back in the soft snow, watching the snowflakes get caught in the wild, silky, wheat-colored hair that fell over those eyes.

"This." He whispered as he lean down and kissed the top of her head.

"And this." He kissed the bridge of her nose.

"And this" He kissed both her eyes.

"And most of all, this." He kissed her lovingly on the lips.

Charley wrapped her arms around his neck and had to admit that the snow did have one more good thing about it.

The End