Night Wind

by Mertz, Stephen

  From the surrounding tree tops, countless birds sang their songs to the sun as it climbed higher to warm a clearing blue sky. A warming breeze carried on it the rich scents of the forest.

  "I do have one thing that needs clearing up," said Mike. His eyelids fluttered, but stayed open. His breathing remained labored. His fists were clenched. His pain had to be excruciating, but he would not let it show. He was not that sort of man.

  "What, Michael?" she asked. "What, darling?"

  "We said we'd be a couple for the night. The night's over. Did I hear you say that you wanted to fall in love with me?"

  "We are a couple," she said, "and I have fallen in love with you."

  Their kiss then was not lingering, but was as tender as it was fleeting, intimate with an unspoken commitment, with promise, with love.

  Paul, nestled within his mother's embrace, trembled. "Mom, is it really over?"

  She squeezed her son's hand. At the same time, she leaned forward and placed a feather-light kiss upon Michael Landware's forehead.

  Robin told them both, "The past is over. Our future begins right now."