DIES CANICULARES

but glistened like starlight. Humid Southern nights could be unforgiving but also unforgettable. The Spanish moss hung above us in the gnarled, sprawling branches of the live oak trees. It blew lazily in the cooler breeze and I relished it for the relief it provided from the sun that still clung to my body. The cicadas hummed a steady rhythm as we walked down the path to the dock to star gaze.

I paused sheepishly just before reaching the dock to light a cigarette; much like her, it was something I couldn't quit. Especially tonight. I was nervous. My hands shook a bit as I tried to flick the lighter. She stopped walking and turned at the sound. She watched me struggle a moment before walking over.

With a voice like sweet tea, she smiled and said, "Here, lemme get that."

I let her gently lift my father's old Zippo from my hands. Unsure what to do with my own, I stuffed my fingers into the front pockets of my jeans. She lit the Zippo with one steady flick. With the cigarette between my lips, I leaned forward to meet the flame. As I inhaled, our eyes locked. A wave of calm rushed over me, but I couldn't tell if it was from the nicotine or because of her. I raised a hand to my lips to remove the cigarette and exhale the smoke upwards into the night. I looked down to see her staring up at me as she flipped the lid shut on the Zippo. She slid the lighter into my front shirt pocket before we headed to the end of the dock.

We sat there for a while, listening to the frogs and other hums of the summer's night. We talked about our plans and what we wanted to do with our lives, who we thought we would become. After all these years of knowing her, I still hadn't mustered up the courage to tell her, but I would change that tonight. We looked out over the still water during a momentary silence between us. I shifted a bit, my heart was racing. I thought about lighting another cigarette but my hands were far too clammy now to manage the old Zippo. I shook the hair out of my eyes and turned toward her.

"Listen, I've been meaning to—," but my words were cut off by the sensation of her soft lips being pressed against mine. My hand involuntarily reached to cup her jaw as my lips pressed into hers in return. Her skin felt like velvet, and even though my eyes were closed, I swore I could see stars.