Page 37 - Contrast1958Winterv2n1

n-seek and climbed the huge maple tree that stood majestically in
the corner. The nails that Norwood had driven in the trunk to make
it easier to get up the tree were still there. With about six steps we
were standing between a lilac bush and a fountain that bubbled
water ceaselessly. It was very dark.

"N orwood, I, uh. . . "
"I know."
He held me closer and for what seemed an endless time stared at
me without saying a word. Slowly his face came closer to mine, and
for a moment time stood still. With that first kiss a great feeling of
oneness swept over us like a tidal wave. There were no longer two
people standing beside a bubbling fountain. It was a hot summer
night.
That night when I fell asleep, I dreamed of white horses gallop-
ing across a beach of silvery sand. The riders were dressed in black
uniforms. Each carried a rifle and some had pistols which were tied
tightly to their legs by a thin cord of rawhide. The salty air hit their
sunburnt faces and chilled their hands. Their leader wore a red sash
around his waist and a long sword which he raised occasionally to call
the men to a halt. They were on a secret mission known possibly but
to God. As they raced across the soft sand each rider leaned forward
in his saddle in order to better follow the motion of his steed.
I met Norwood the following night. He kissed me several times;
then we said goodbye. I watched him walk away into the darkness.
I thought of how gentle and kind he was and how much I had loved
him. As the night swirled around him all I could see was a vague
blanket of blackness. I never saw him again.

*' * *'

Outside I could still hear the pounding sea. The sound of the
racing water became farther and farther away. I turned over in my
bed and listened a little while longer. As I fell asleep I knew those
footprints were completely erased.

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