The Trip #2 (Amy)
The shower is in the basement.
Wake early; gather clean clothes.
Tip toes but the floor still creaks beneath them.
Go down the stairs, careful not to fall.
The room is so small.
Shower elevated two inches higher than the floor.
Shut the door and strip bare.
Pull the cord on the heat lamp.
I'm bathed in red light.
Step inside on the wooden floor.
Gaps drain the water out of the bottom.
Test the waters and adjust the knobs.
Scalding hot water.
Trickles down the small of my back.
Red light makes the drops of water look like blood.
Nail polish glitters and glows rouge.
Eyes closed.
I can still feel that red.
Floor creaks above my head.
Someone in the kitchen.
I pay no attention, drowning in the heat.
Someone on the stairs.
Heavy foot-falls, I've an idea.
Door opens, eyes are still closed.
I must've forgotten to lock it.
I hear the brush of fabric on skin.
It hits the floor with a dull thud.
I rely on all senses but sight.
His scent lingers on the air.
Sleepy, musky, tear filled scent.
His feet hit the floor lightly.
Curtains pulled back.
I feel a rush of cold air.
His hand on my back reassures me.
I lean into him, skin to skin contact feels so good.
Eyes flutter open.
Turn in his arms to face him.
Bathed in that red light he looks almost devilish.
The water gets warmer.
Burning a trail across my shoulders, down my legs.
The fact that he's so close is intoxicating.
Shampoo is rubbed lightly into my hair.
I wasn't even aware that he'd moved until now.
Eyes shut again to let the feeling be free.
Soft fingertips massaging my scalp.
My lips form a smile, I'm lost completely in him.
When I gather enough courage to look at him once more,
Red bubbles have fallen down to my shoulders.
He rinses my hair carefully.
Kisses my forehead.
Moves to do his own.
The shower is tiny but I move.
Into the corner, I just watch.
The way he moves, not graceful but unique.
Perfectly him.
It's over too soon.
He takes my hand, guides me carefully.
Don't slip and fall, he says.
I smile.
Reach up and yank the chain.
Heat lamp turns off.
But it's still hot.
And he's still there with me.
Wake early; gather clean clothes.
Tip toes but the floor still creaks beneath them.
Go down the stairs, careful not to fall.
The room is so small.
Shower elevated two inches higher than the floor.
Shut the door and strip bare.
Pull the cord on the heat lamp.
I'm bathed in red light.
Step inside on the wooden floor.
Gaps drain the water out of the bottom.
Test the waters and adjust the knobs.
Scalding hot water.
Trickles down the small of my back.
Red light makes the drops of water look like blood.
Nail polish glitters and glows rouge.
Eyes closed.
I can still feel that red.
Floor creaks above my head.
Someone in the kitchen.
I pay no attention, drowning in the heat.
Someone on the stairs.
Heavy foot-falls, I've an idea.
Door opens, eyes are still closed.
I must've forgotten to lock it.
I hear the brush of fabric on skin.
It hits the floor with a dull thud.
I rely on all senses but sight.
His scent lingers on the air.
Sleepy, musky, tear filled scent.
His feet hit the floor lightly.
Curtains pulled back.
I feel a rush of cold air.
His hand on my back reassures me.
I lean into him, skin to skin contact feels so good.
Eyes flutter open.
Turn in his arms to face him.
Bathed in that red light he looks almost devilish.
The water gets warmer.
Burning a trail across my shoulders, down my legs.
The fact that he's so close is intoxicating.
Shampoo is rubbed lightly into my hair.
I wasn't even aware that he'd moved until now.
Eyes shut again to let the feeling be free.
Soft fingertips massaging my scalp.
My lips form a smile, I'm lost completely in him.
When I gather enough courage to look at him once more,
Red bubbles have fallen down to my shoulders.
He rinses my hair carefully.
Kisses my forehead.
Moves to do his own.
The shower is tiny but I move.
Into the corner, I just watch.
The way he moves, not graceful but unique.
Perfectly him.
It's over too soon.
He takes my hand, guides me carefully.
Don't slip and fall, he says.
I smile.
Reach up and yank the chain.
Heat lamp turns off.
But it's still hot.
And he's still there with me.