The Last Frost

    Somewhere of their origin they resided on in a tiny rock home, with only things they needed the most. They have each other and didn't need to be anywhere else. Don't close your eyes, you will have to go /Only then, will you exhale,/To find yourself across the veil/"But mommy, your eyes are closed!" Swift's cheeks were tear stained./"I will bring you home," mother replied,      I have learned to recognize the first signs of spring when visiting the Midwest. The birds begin to sing their fresh tunes, the air has a particular warmth to it that makes you think of al those spent seasons past, and undoubtedly the flora and fauna springing back to life. One cannot forget the occasional snow, which will melt within a day anyway.    Although I have been to many places and have been fortunate enough to see spring and other seasons in many different areas, the Midwest tugged at my heart. The whole Great Lakes region had such diversity and bursting life.      The past didn't matter right now though, because at the moment I had to deeply spend my energy on the dandelion field in front of me.      Picture in your mind a spring field peppered with yellow dots. On one side an old tree line hugged the hill, its depth inviting you in. Nonetheless, I did not care for the darkness at the moment. I could always come back with one step and find out what awaits me there. My task for today had already started; I had began my foraging. It wouldn't take long for me to collect enough flowers to make my famous dandelion wine. It has been an ongoing tradition of mine, just me, and since it takes super long to cure it anyway, I have an older batch ready to be sipped upon. Some people don't believe in the healing powers of the dandelion, I however have been around long enough to know and feel its powers.      Don't ask how long though, because I am not sure of my age. Sometimes it feels as though I have been here for centuries and sometimes I feel young and electric. I might be twenty-five or I might be a whole millennium.      I hummed some notes, something far older than any of us than came deep within, as I bent down on my knees to gather the pretty flowers. Soon enough bees and other pollinators will come to taste the sweet nectar and this place will be filled with thousands of tiny seeds ready to take their life to the next level. Moving along, I plucked and plucked until my hands turned amber from the amount I have piled in my baskets.          The sun was shining, of course, through the clouds nonetheless and I felt the wind on my cheeks. I closed my eyes and took a sharp inhale which should have moved me to the next patch of flowers.      Exhale     I opened my eyes to find myself in a different place than I imagined. Irritated, I took a glance around to realize I was back in the city. I silently cursed the winds in my mind. Body frozen in frame, I took a rhythmic step to get back into the realm. Basket in hand, I was now in step with the city. It was a small town, not small enough that everyone knew your business, but not big enough that you were constantly surrounded by strangers. Although, I don't think I personally was every surrounded by strangers. It just wasn't in my nature. Going by that conclusion, I wasn't sure what this city meant anymore. All I knew, was people smiling at me passing by, as if they knew.      With a steady pace, I walked through the town back to my house. You could say that I was a citizen of the world, but for right now this was a temporary place I could call home.      Somewhere in the distance I heard a dog barking, people talking, rushing to get to their destinations same as me. I could say I was in control yet this time I pushed in an entirely different direction. In time, everything will be revealed I needed some time to pass again.      My cell rang in my pocket; balancing the basket I reached for it with my free hand.     I answered, ''yeah hello?"     A voice replied, "What's up Swiff?''     "Who is this?''     "Very rude, do you even-" before the voice could finish I looked at caller ID.     "s**t, Cam what's up man," I confirmed.      "Yeah, hi, " a brief pause "got any plans tonight?"     "Actually-" I began.     "Great, come to Perre's today we can grab some drinks."     "Cammy, it's Thursday, " I knew he hated that nickname.     An audible groan came through the phone, "you owe me one you know."     I paused and quickly mulled over the thought.     "Okay, fine whatever, " I finished rolling my eyes     "You roll your eyes far back enough and you'll-"     I interrupted yet again before he could finish, "meet me there in an hour goofy head."     "Oh wow, yay."     "Bye now, " I clicked off the phone.     I put the phone in my pocket not noticing the conversation carried me home. My legs knew where to go. I came up to my building and reached for my keys. Once inside, I checked my mailbox to find it empty. I shrugged and made my way up the stairs. I lived on the third floor which gave me a good exercise, and I would rather take that than chancing it with the old creaky elevator.      Huffing slightly, I made it to my floor. Careful not to drop the basket, I came up to my door and went inside. I didn't have long before I had to leave to meet up with Cam so I threw the basket inside the fridge and went to my closet to pick out some clothes. I settled on a pair of dark faded jeans, a nicely fitting purple tie-dye T-shirt, and a black leather jacket. I lined my eyes with a blue liner, patted some silver shadow in the inner corners of my eyes, and quickly topped off with some mascara. I didn't need anything fancy tonight, especially not going to Perre's. Perre's was a tiny pub owned by a grumpy old woman named Mandy, who ran her ship tight. If you were lucky enough, you might get to be friends with the old croan.      I brushed the knots out of my hair, and pinned half of it up. I looked into the small mirror hanging by the door and changed my mind. I shook out my hair, tousled it and decided that was good enough.     "Oh!" I realized then picked up a perfume and gave myself a spritz.       I grabbed all the essentials and headed out the door. I stood still in the hallway, closed my eyes and inhaled deeply.      Exhale     I stood in front of the bar waiting patiently for Cam to show up. If this were a movie, I would be smoking a cig right now, but I have enough bad habits that smoking would just topple the list. Instead I loomed over a planter box filled with annuals ready to bloom, just in time for spring. Our Earth made my heart full to the brim with happiness and contentment.      "Hey girl, " Cam called as he approached.      "Long time no see, " I joked going in for an embrace.     He quickly gave me a tight hug.     "Yeah, it's been about twenty years."     I chuckled, "any particular drinks in mind?"     "Actually, " Cam trailed off, "I changed my mind and was hoping we could check out a different place, " he threw his words at me.      I groaned internally not wanting him to see my reaction, but I think he could tell by my lack of quick response. I closed my eyes, and began.     "NO, not today missy!" he shouted.     My eyes fluttered open, "what?!"     "You are not leaving me! Now come on, this place isn't far from here. They call it the Black Hole, " he used his hands to paint me a picture.     I couldn't help but burst out laughing, "okay okay! Let's get going then, " I gave in.      Screw it. I'm always busy with something, whether it be an odd job or my actual job. Whether it be foraging, canning, studying. Always busy, never a moment to breathe. Not a moment to exhale.      Cam linked his arm with mine, and lead the way. I was thankful for the moment of peace. The wind was brushing my hair from my face. I could feel the connection greatly today. Perhaps I have mistreated the breeze. Maybe I should have been more present and grateful. Maybe then, I would have been pushed to the destination I wanted to go.      The walk took no longer than ten minutes, in a normal stroll. We weren't in a rush, the night was budding, offering itself to us. There it was, the infamous Black Hole. Despite its name, it had quite a colorful appearance. The walls were swirls of watercolor rainbow leading to what looked like an imitated image of a black hole in space. I laughed to myself at the irony.      ''Take a look at that, '' Cam exclaimed.      "Okay, I'll give it to you the place looks dope, " I admitted.      "You're welcome. I think this is more of a club than a bar, but I am way okay with that. I need to let off some steam. The week hasn't even ended and I am sooo over it."      "We can talk about it over an ice cold vodka tonic."     "Oh I love the sound of that!" Cam hollered.      The place didn't look packed, but it wasn't empty either. It was just right. The bumping music found its way outside, inviting us in. I wondered whether Cam will use his energy to his favor in here, or will it just be a normal night. It wasn't a coincidence that the two of us were friends. The sun had made sure we would find each other. I do think he was younger than I was whatever that meant. When your breath gets caught so many times you tend to forget these things. God, that made me sound so aged. I am a breath of life! Young. Electric. Alive.      When you look up right away after entering this place, you take notice of the gorgeous almost real galaxy above. It took my breath for a minute, and made me yearn for something out of the ordinary. The walls were plastered with neon zig zags that looked absolutely out of this world.     "Come again, how come we never came here?" I asked admiring      "You haven't been here, I kind of know this place already."     My eyes narrowed, but of course you would.     I could feel my body vibrating to the music playing from all sides. I took Cam's hand as he pushed us through the people swaying their bodies to the music. At this moment, it was imperative that I joined them. My friend finally found the bar, me trailing behind. The music wasn't too overbearing so he didn't have to shout.      "Hi yeah, can we please get one vodka tonic and a peach mule!" Cam ordered us drinks.     "Coming right up, " the bartender replied swiftly.      "Alright, check out the floor Swiff," Cam nodded in the direction of the people dancing.      "Looks alright to me, " I shot back at him.      He was leaning against the bar, looking chic like always. His hair was dyed a lime green, and reached his ears. It was always laid properly, it seemed as though he never had a bad hair day. He was wearing lavender pants, with a light blue button down. The button down had thin grey vertical stripes, almost blending with the shirt. His eyes were boldly lined with a black liner, accenting his hazel eyes. He wasn't feminine nor masculine, he just was and I loved him that way. He was his own person. He was Cam.      The drinks made their way to us, and Cam tipped the lady. I'm sure that wasn't the end of that.      I sipped on my mule.      "Hey watch this, " Cam smirked.      I look over and see him positioning his foot and I could tell he was about to do his thing. In fact, I could feel his energy already coming off of him. If you weren't trained to notice these shifts, you would just think he was moving about, perhaps moving to the rhythm of the music. Besides the occasional lustful looks thrown Cam's way nobody was watching us. I felt the slight movement of the wind under his energy and the radiance bouncing around towards the dance floor. Sometimes I swear I could see a golden glitter in the air as if the sun itself was coming off of him. I looked him up and down, and he looked cocky as ever. I just shook my head.      After all, he wasn't doing any harm to anyone.      "Excuse me, " a tall voice interrupted us.     Both of our heads snapped in the direction of the voice, Cam's energy retreating slightly. The magic was gone.      A towering man made his way over to us, he almost looked like a bouncer but he was dressed too casually to be security. The man was dressed in all dark colors, like navy blue and mossy green. His hair was brushed back with slight curls at the nape of his neck. I could tell Cam was swallowing up all the attention.      "Can I help you?" Cam purred.      I took another sip, hiding behind my glass. If I had to I would take both of us away from here. It would  knock the wind out of me, but if we needed a safe exit we would get it.      "I noticed, you know, " the strange man made a claim while maintaining a monotone composure.      We exchanged a look, not knowing what was about to happen.     A hand grabbed his shoulder from behind, "Eric I thought I'd lost ya," another stranger joined us, now  forming a group.        He stepped into view. He wasn't much smaller than the first guy but there was a noticeable difference.       "Eric has been grooving to the music for a few hours now," he exclaimed quickly, "Although I'm not sure grooving would be the right word," he brought his hand up to his chin quizzically.      "Can we help you?" I squinted my eyes defensively, asking yet again.      "Right sorry, " he laughed, "I go by Cosmo, and this here is my friend Eric as you now know. I couldn't help but notice your bright friend has been blessed by the golden glow."     A bead of sweat formed on my forehead, not only from this odd situation but the general temperature of the place. Thanks to Cam, the place will be packed tight soon.      "I noticed you styled your outfit from the latest edition of Pattrice, " Eric drawled the name out.      Cam lifted his chin, " now what would a brute like you know about Pattrice?" he challenged.     I can already tell this will be a long night, and it was only a Thursday.      Cosmo and I had been making small talk while the two discussed this and that, things that I never cared for but obviously the two of them passionately explored.     "Get a room already!" I yelled at them. They didn't even bother to look my direction. I shook my head.     "Tell me, Swift was it?" I nodded at him, "Why are you here? I can tell your energy doesn't belong here."     "You're one of them huh?" I looked off into the distance. Perhaps taking notice of the club would take my attention away from here.     "I haven't been around as long as you, but I can tell. My eyes aren't as trained as yours probably are."     "What do you want?" I went straight to the point.      "It has been a while since I could sense anyone else around us. Eric sorts of blocks energies."     I took off my jacket, and placed it on the bar next to the numerous glasses that had been our drinks. It was starting to get warm in here. I felt a blush coming onto my face. Cosmo certainly was interesting.      "I don't mingle into these affairs," I replied curtly.      I attempted to get the bartenders attention. At this point I had opened a tab, and was ordering drinks left and right. I haven't felt any waves yet, but I knew they would hit soon.      "Since you're trying to get her attention, let's drink together. Come on," he said.      Argh, "as long as I get a slice of lime."     He took a step sideways to get closer to the bartender and ordered whatever he had ordered. At that point nothing mattered much.     I closed my eyes and inhaled. I exhaled.      I opened my eyes and I was still standing next to Cosmo.     Confusion had set in.     He now had two drinks in hand, one with a lime wedge on the rim.     "What?" he said simply.     I let a breathe of air out, "nothing."     He smiled at me warmly. I'm sure my blush had deepened at his smile. Embarrassingly enough, it reminded me of the sun. I chewed on my bottom lip, and brought my gaze down.      When I looked up I could feel the wind through me. Aha, I thought to myself, finally the booze has made its way around inside. I steadied myself against the counter. I could feel the hairs on my arms swaying softly now. I will never get used to the energy of the wind. At least I couldn't randomly disappear.      "Do you think they're still talking about that Patrice?" Cosmo questioned.     "It's Pattrice," I replied with a fake accent.      We both laughed at the stupidity of the situation.      "Have you met many golden glows before?" my turn to ask the questions.     He took a moment before replying, "hm, yes. Not many."     "Mmm," I said in return.      My knowledge was ancient, buried somewhere deep inside of me. Mother. I could feel her somewhere, but I wasn't sure where. Everything spun inside, as if time wasn't a line but a circle repeating its cycles. I felt the wind spinning me both inside and outside. Somehow I even though I was holding on to the bar, my feet betrayed me and I stumbled into Cosmo.     "Shoot, sorry the wind does what it does," I confided.     His sweet breath was much closer to me now, "that's alright, I don't mind."     I'm sure at this point I resembled a tomato, me the wind itself letting herself fall into the arms of a stranger.      I could feel an energy pushing us closer, the already small space between us disappearing further.      "Cam!" I muttered.     I took a look around, and there he was sending his energy our way binding us closer. I tried to pull away.     "You alright?" Cosmo asked.      "Mmm, " I replied.      Everything at this point was a blur and all I wanted was to...     Exhale