Farewell Denver

A gleam of light filters into the cool hotel room. Scarlett opens her eyes, feeling refreshed. She thought of the night before, suddenly realizing she and Oliver did not get each other’s contact information. How would she reach him again or how would he reach her? Hmmm. It is Saturday morning. Scarlett starts her shower, the hot water pours onto her skin and hair like a heavy rain. She closes her eyes and pictures herself in a waterfall in an exotic rainforest, birds chirping, she is the only one there. Scarlett envisions water dripping onto flower petals on the rocky wall behind her. Leaves flow in a stream, at the end of the waterfall, away from the rushing water. Just then a loud knock on her door interrupted. “Housekeeping!”

Scarlett hops out of the shower carefully, wraps a towel around her, steps out of the bathroom and shouts out, “Come back later!” She notices the do not disturb sign on the inside knob.

Housekeeping tells her, “It’s about an hour until check out.”.

Scarlett replies with, “Ok thank you!”

Scarlett finishes her shower quickly. In her hotel room, she dries off, and glances at her itinerary showing her flight home today. She slips into light blue leggings and a long breathable shirt which falls below her bum. Scarlett laces her blue and pink tennis shoes then collects her things. She checks the weather, hmmm, in the eighties today which is pretty warm. As if the weather will coincide with returning to Texas. After a week in Colorado exploring; cool refreshing air especially overnight, is a desirable memory. Pictures of early autumn are saved to her laptop. Some leaves; yellow, red, and orange. Scarlett leaves her brown leather jacket out in case it’ll be chilly in the airport or plane. The elevator chimes, the doors open, Scarlett steps in, a rumbling sound is heard as the elevator descends. Out of the elevator into the lobby she finds Oliver and his tall stature. He's tall enough for me to wear heels. His red beard adds warmth, to a cool attire- a sky blue plaid western shirt, and blue jeans contrast vibrantly against a green wall. The colors pop. He adjusts his stance, his boots scuff the floor, as he leans against the wall, his red hair barely peeks below his beige western hat. A charming smile spreads across his bearded face, as he notices Scarlett, he admires her physique exhibiting intense eyes, like green amber and whiskey, softened, kind, empathetic. He looks delicious and typical of Scarlett’s type. Oliver greets her, “Howdy Scarlett, are you leaving today?”

“Hey there, handsome fella. Yes, I am going back home today, and you?” Scarlett replies. As they hug, Oliver leans towards her face to give a quick peck on her lips. Their lips collide, Scarlett is taken back by his energy, his aura, its drinkable, breathable, compatible. Sparks. A calmness settles in over her. He kisses deeper and longer. His warmth envelops her for a moment, awakening desire deep within, that's been tucked and hidden away, like a dusty trunk. He tastes her flavored lip gloss as it rubs off on his lips, seems fruity like strawberry. He breathes her in, something floral he can quite figure out, slightly arouses him, his heart thuds in his broad chest. The kiss subsides, they inch back, giving some space.

Oliver looks at her, his white spotless teeth are exposed as he smiles, “No, I’ll be here until next week sometime." He breathes in deeply, calming his nervousness. "Can I get your number so we can keep in touch?” Scarlett looks around to make sure no one else can hear her. Her cheeks flush,"Sure, can I see your phone. I will put it in." Oliver graciously hands her his hand phone, in a subtle manner. She types in her number then texts herself to save his contact info.

Scarlett says, “Well, I need to get on my way.” She begins to grab her rolling suitcase. Oliver reaches for it, rumbling in a deep southern twang,” Let me walk you out. “

The quiet rattle of the suitcase wheels rolling against the pavement of the parking lot, mix with the heels of Oliver's boots; lightly stomping the ground with each step, Scarlett's tennis shoes utter near silence, as they navigate to her rental car. The newly acquainted traveling Texans, exchange smiles whilst sunglasses hide their eyes. They approach her rental car. She pops the trunk and he places her suitcase gently inside. Scarlett puts her other bags on the passenger side along with her jacket. She gets back out of the car and faces Oliver. He wraps his arms around her, kisses her gently, massaging her tongue with his. He steps back and tells her, “I’m glad we met.”

Scarlett smiles replies, “I am too, hope to see you again.” In a chivalrous manner, he opens her door smoothly, waiting patiently for her as she gets in, then closes it.

Scarlett exits the parking lot as Oliver walks back in the hotel. She admires his canter, an attractive cowboy from Texas has grazed Scarlett's vacation. At the airport, Scarlett finds a pumpkin spice latte and a bottle of water to wash down some egg whites, toast, and fruit. She happily enjoys her meal while scrolling the news feed on her phone. Nothing new to worry about. She messages a few friends and family, informing them of her travel plans. She's visiting Dallas then heading home to her RV in the Texas Hill Country, near the cowboy capital. She boards her plane with ease. Scarlett snags a window seat as usual, to watch the sky scape, and wait for the moment when the plane hovers over the city, before landing.

She is a habitual marveler of nature and architecture-finding peace and solitude.

As an adult who can sometimes be overstimulated by the pressures of life and social gatherings; it is restorative to take time to marvel at sceneries alone, and view city skylines at night from a distance. The next city awaits Scarlett's adventurous soul.