Two Texans, Northeastern Dreams

Hours later, Scarlett has returned from the photographer's gala, exhausted. A vodka and cranberry with a splash of lemon-lime soda, sits on the bar in front of Scarlett. The drink she requested moments before. She slowly sips on it with a straw. Hanging lights above make her fair skin look radiant, whilst a nearly empty ballroom seems warm and cozy despite the vacant seats surrounding her. She gazes around the hotel ballroom, her eyes like blue sapphire and hints of green amber find a man entering the ballroom. She breathes, not nervous but captivated. The man she saw at the park earlier is here, now dressed in a blue suit, appearing athletic and built, she notices his chest expand and shoulders rise, as if he has taken a deep breath. His eyes look her way. Oliver standing about six feet tall, observed Scarlett at the park earlier, he was taken back by her. Now she is in front of him again, his heart beats faster and harder in his chest as his attraction to the woman, excites him, b

Scarlett maneuvers through the busy airport, weaving in between people, and retrieves her suitcase. She holds rental car keys in her softened hand, and makes her way to another car, this time a Camaro. A smile forms on her pleased face; admiring the car like it’s an attractive man. A sigh escapes her lungs. Exiting the rental car parking lot with ease, she guides the dark blue Camaro down a busy road. Scarlett finds a spot to capture the city skyline and bridges. The blue lights remind her where she is. A place of seldom visits, a Texas city, nonetheless. One of the largest featuring McMansions, large buildings, and shopping centers galore. The first time Scarlett recalls ice skating, she remembers the pink sweatpants with white snowflakes, the elastic band wrapping around the sole of her foot to keep them tucked in to her ice skates. She mistakenly grazes her finger along the blade, not realizing how sharp it was. Blood drips out, like a paper cut. “Mom, I cut myself.” Scarlett tur

Scarlett is sitting in the driver’s seat of her blue super duty truck, on highway 1604, traffic is at a stand still as usual. She glances at the clock on her dash, five-twenty seven in the evening, still daylight out, no sun set in sight. It’s only the beginning of October. We’re supposed to meet at the park in a few minutes! Running errands throughout the day took longer than anticipated. Hmm. I wonder if he is already there. Traffic nudges forward, as Scarlett takes the exit toward Eisenhower park. A busy parking lot, reminds Scarlett she is not alone, simply to herself amongst strangers minding their own. Just as she likes. She guides her truck into a spot, the driver door swings open after a push, her pink and tan hiking boots stomp the pavement as she lifts off the step bar. Her hydration pack firmly drapes over her back and shoulders, a waterspout makes for easy thirst quenching. Glancing around, soaking in the nature, a dirt path lined by oak trees, catches her eyes. Scarlett

It’s Thursday morning, the train chugs along as sceneries blur past the window. Scotty rests in his carrier, tucked beneath the blue and grey vinyl train seat, his small breaths steady with sleep. Scarlett shivers from the draft and wraps a pink, maroon, and crème plaid shawl around her shoulders. She pulls it tight against the chill that seems to seep through the old windowpane. She has always found train travel a little lonely, and today is no exception; the empty seat across from her seems to amplify the quiet hum of the tracks below. On the seat beside her, the train tickets, one for her and one for Scotty, offer something to review, to read and busy her restless mind with. She glances at them more than necessary, as if rereading the printed names might cure her boredom. Her eyes drift to the waterproof suitcases resting nearby, one medium-sized for her and one small, for Scotty. She has packed carefully for the weekend, folding in not just clothes but small comforts: Scotty’s favo

As Scarlett prepares for a day on the lake in Central Park, she glances at Scotty. His coffee-brown eyes soften, and he wags his grey tail in eager anticipation. She checks her phone for the weather. Hmmm, fifties and sixties. Better dress warmly, already picturing the breeze off the water. She rummages through her suitcase, selecting a crème-colored sweater with a lacey overlay, paired with jeans. She peers into a small hat box tucked inside her pink waterproof suitcase, smiling as she chooses a crème-colored cashmere beret adorned with a flower on the side. It was a gift from her mother, one she treasures for the memories it holds as much as its style.She dresses quickly, recalling that Scotty needs a walk. She slips on her tall brown leather boots, which fall below her knees, the leather creaking pleasantly with each step. Scarlett places maple-colored earrings in each ear, pausing to admire them in the mirror; they remind her of the autumn leaves she cannot wait to see blanketin