I lay peacefully in a hammock strung between two trees. The breeze rustled the leaves in the tree tops and the sun played upon my lap. One leg dangled out of the hammock, my toes gently brushing the grass. Pointing my toes I lightly pushed off the soft, cooI grass gently setting the hammock off in a slow, rhythmic sway. Taking a deep breath I closed my eyes and listened. I could hear the leaves rustling as the wind disturbed their peaceful sunning. Birds sang in the tree branches. In the distance I could hear the soft lapping of the water against the beach. Even farther off the splashing and laughter of children playing at the water�s edge. Taking another deep breath I drifted off to sleep.
The quiet droning of a motor boat disturbed my slumber. Slowly opening one eye I looked off at the lake. The boat cut its engine as it slowly approached the dock. Smiling, I stretched and swung my other leg out of the hammock. In a quick movement I found myself standing and then slowly walked towards the dock. The feel of the cool grass against the bottom of my feet made me smile. Taking two steps in the moist warm sand, I stepped onto the dock.
You were deftly securing the boat. You glanced up at me and smiled gently. �How are you doin�, Babe? With a quick step out of the boat you joined me on the dock.
�I�m doing good, Hon,� I smiled softly. �Did you catch anything?�
�Nope.� You took hold of my hand and we turned heading down the dock to the shore. �I just enjoyed the sunshine and the breeze.�
Squeezing your hand, I smiled. �Isn�t it beautiful here?� I sighed softly. Letting go of my hand you put your arm along my shoulders and hugged me.
�Yes, � you said quietly, almost in a whisper. I slipped my arm around your back and hugged you. You smiled down at me, �What have you been doing?�
I chuckled. �Oh, this and that��
Grinning you hugged me again. �And what might �this and that� be?� We steeped off the dock and then onto the grass.
�Oh, mostly just laying in that hammock�� I blushed pointing across the yard at the hammock still gently swaying in the breeze.
You laughed and hugged me again. �It�s good for you to relax.� Slowly, you changed our apparent destination from the dark wood cabin set off in the trees along the shore to my hammock.
Laughing I looked up into your happy and relaxed face, �And just where are we going now?�
I could feel the laughter rumbling quietly in your chest. You lifted your arm and pointed. Then with an innocent glance you said most seriously, �To that hammock, my dear.�
We slowly approached the hammock. Stopped abruptly at the side of the hammock, you dropped your arm from my shoulders and lay down in the hammock. �Going to join me?� You smiled up at me.
Raising one eyebrow, I seemed to hesitate for a moment. Then laughing, I nodded and climbed into the hammock beside you. Curled up against your left side, my head on your shoulder, I signed contentedly. You smiled and softly kissed my forehead. Putting my left arm across your chest I smiled as I hugged you. �I think I could stay here forever, how about you?�
A low �yes� rumbled in your chest, tickling my ear. Hugging me tight the hammock swayed slightly in the breeze. With my ear pressed against your chest, I listened to the slow, hypnotic beating of your heart. Your breathing slowed and became regular. Slowly my eyes closed and I drifted off to sleep.
M.B. Hall
October 13, 1997