Page 15 of Smoke After Hours

I glanced around the fire pit, considering my response. With a soft smile, I leaned forward, my voice carrying a hint of excitement as I revealed, “I would be a falcon.”

“Oh, I love that,” Nova squealed, clapping her hands.

“Why a falcon?” Volley prompted, the curiosity in his voice cutting through all the others.

I smirked at him before turning my gaze skyward, envisioning myself soaring through the boundless expanse of the sky.

“Because a falcon embodies both grace and power,” I began, keeping my words measured, yet filled with conviction. “It’s a creature of the skies, able to soar to great heights and see the world from a perspective few others can. But it’s also fiercely independent, capable of hunting and surviving on its own terms.”

“That fits you,” Nova stated. “Carefree and walking to the beat of your own drum. I guess you have to be that kind of person to put together such an amazing smoke hop.”

I looked to Volley then, not surprised to find him watching me intently.Carefree.A word that many often used to describe me, but none knew how far they were from the truth.

I hadn’t felt a sense of freedom since my mom, Elene, was taken, the desire to fly away somewhere that I could live in normalcy a feeling I knew all too well. I’d want Volley to be with me though. Not as my guard, but as my partner in life.

“If you think about it, the closest I can get to the thrill of being a falcon is when I’m high,” I explained, earning me a chorus of animated laughs from the group. “No, seriously. As a young adult, I suffered from major anxiety and cannabis helped me calm my nerves. Being high is like stepping into a world where everything feels a little bit brighter, a little bit more vibrant. You see everything around you in a different light because you’re giving your body permission to relax.”

“Like nowww,” Santiago slightly slurred, gesturing to Mr. and Mrs. Fairbourne, a couple who had been married for forty years and had just retired from running their pharmacy. “The Fairbournes were uncomfortable being outdoors, but they relaxed after they had one of the leaf shaped gummies we purchased from Stryker.”

“That’s true,” Mrs. Fairbourne stated, eyes happily glistening. “My husband and I didn’t purchase much at Herbal Haze, but Santiago said it would do the trick to ease my anxiety about being in the wilderness and it did.”

“It’s because your senses are dialed up to maximum as the gummy settles into your system,” I stated, gesturing with my hands to capture the essence of my intent. “Suddenly, every sight, sound, and texture becomes amplified, and almost hyper-real. It’s not just about feeling relaxed or euphoric,” I continued, my expression thoughtful as I spoke to the group. “It’s about experiencing the world in a whole new way, with a sense of wonder and curiosity that’s hard to describe but exhilarating to experience.”

I glanced around the fire, meeting the gaze of each person in the circle, my voice tinged with excitement. “Imagine that you’re seeing the world through a kaleidoscope of colors and patterns, each more mesmerizing than the last. Like a falcon, you’re floating on a cloud of pure bliss, weightless and carefree.”

“And it’s not just about the physical sensations,” Volley furthered, his tone introspective and his eyes holding mine hostage. “There’s also a sense of connection, both to yourself and to those around you. Not enough people talk about how cannabis brings people together. It’s like barriers dissolve, and you feel this profound sense of empathy and understanding. Being high is like taking a journey into the unknown, where every moment is an expedition waiting to be explored. Yet, the question you have to ask yourself is if your voyage is meant to be one youexperience alone or in a group. If alone, you’re a falcon. They only gather together to mate. If in a group, you’re a hawk. You travel in small units, and you experience life with a companion. Not alone. Both are birds of prey, but they’re unique in the way they kill as well. Falcons will break their prey’s neck, while hawks will dig their claws so deep, the prey bleeds out slower and death may be dragged out.”

The group fell silent as mine and Volley’s words sank in, yet it was the similarity between mine and Volley’s relationship as it coincided with the birds that caused me to reflect even deeper. His assignment etched on in my mind slowly like a hawk’s slaughter, rather than swiftly like a falcon’s kill.

“Maybe I was once a falcon,” I admitted, echoing my understanding of his point. “Yet now, I’m more like a hawk than I ever realized. Both mean embracing strength and freedom.”

“While living life with a sense of purpose and determination,” Volley furthered.

I settled back into my seat, a sense of contentment settling over me. In my mind’s eye, I could almost feel the rush of wind beneath my wings, carrying me closer to the boundless horizon as the organic goodness worked its magic.

“Shiddddd,” Santiago huffed, breaking the silent hum that had washed over the group as each person got lost in their thoughts. “Then we’re all falcons and hawks in this world because if I ain’t feeling that way every damn day, then my weed must not be strong enough.”

Everyone laughed in agreement, hyping him up and shuffling around another bag of gummies and the pipes that were circulating, passing from hand to hand as laughter and stories filled the night.

Eventually, Volley and I went and sat on a hammock that was surrounded by trees and bushes, offering privacy from the group. My fingers deftly rolled my blunt, my movementsfluid and practiced as I expertly crafted the perfect smokeable companion.

With a flick of my wrist, I lit the end, the flame illuminating mine and Volley’s face in the darkness momentarily before I took a slow, deliberate drag. As the smoke curled around us, I exhaled slowly, our sexual tension only heightened with each breath.

“Do you want to talk about what happened last night?” Volley asked.

“Do we ever?” I asked, my voice laced with laughter and something I wasn’t ready to define in the moment, but felt a lot like nostalgia because as difficult as it was for me to admit, I wanted Volley to stay protecting me forever if it meant having him by my side.

I handed him my blunt so he could take puff.

“Nothing will be the same between us now, you know that, right?”

“Damn, I knew I had talent,” I teased, “but I sucked your dick so good, I got you using your serious voice even with a blunt in your hand.”

He blew a smoke circle into my face. “Quit being a smart ass. You know what the fuck I mean.”

A sincere smile crossed my lips. “Yeah, I do.”

Last night wasn’t my finest moment. Not because I hadn’t enjoyed it, but because right as he tried to return the favor, I was overcome with emotion, unable to explain why. Everything was changing, and although I’d dealt with change head-on throughout my entire life, Volley had been a constant beacon of support for me.

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