Page 28 of Let Me

She looks around and says, “Yes, this is perfect.”

“Good.”

She pulls in a breath and closes her eyes, tilting her head up to the sky.I was going to unzip the backpack, but I observe her breathing and the way the sun strikes her face the same way it kisses the lake and wakes up the earth.

I’m captivated.

She opens her eyes and looks at me as if she could feel my eyes on her.The smile that comes to her face is one of happiness.

“Yes?”she asks.

“Nothing,” I say, forcing myself to look away from her face, though everything in me wants to hold this vision in my eyes forever.

I unzip the backpack and remove two bottles of lemonade.Handing her one, I say, “I would’ve made some fresh lemonade, but wasn’t quite sure how to bring it out here.”

“This is fine, Judah.”

“Okay.I made these sandwiches.I watched the lady in the deli make them and just basically copied her, so if they’re not good, blame the sandwich lady.”

“Judah?”

I pause removing items from the bag to look up at her.“Yes?”

“Everything is perfect.Just the gesture alone is perfect.”

“Okay.Thanks for saying that,” I say.She sensed my nervousness.I’m usually never like this, but I want her to enjoy herself so much that it’s making me tense.I take a beat, regather my intentions, and force myself to relax.

I hand her a sandwich and leave everything else in the bag for now.She unwraps it and says, “Roast beef.I love roast beef.”

“Good.”

We indulge for a while as the boat moves and drifts with the gentle ripples of the lake.The wind slides across our faces like the gentle stroke of a finger.The sun pronounces a shimmer on Autumn’s cheeks – her freckles coming alive and standing out more dominantly.If I must die, this is the vision of her I want plastered in my final breaths.

I ask, “Did you grow up in Arden?”

“No.I grew up in Asheville.”

“Right up the street.”

“Exactly.My parents still live there.I moved to Arden six years ago when I took the job at the rec center.”

“I know I’m not supposed to ask this, but how old are you?”

“Guess.”

A smile grows on my face.“I don’t know if that’s a good idea.If I guess too high, you’ll be offended.”

“I won’t.It’s just a guess.”

“Okay.Um…I’d say you were twenty-six.”

She smiles.“Close.I’m twenty-eight.How old are you?”

“Thirty-one.”

“Do you have any brothers or sisters?”

“No.I’m an only child.”

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