Member-only story
Strawberry Boy
That sweet sensation of you and me…
The strawberry festival seemed like a good place for a first date — or so Tristan had said before drizzle began to patter against the windshield as we drove towards the farm.
We pulled into an empty lot. A shame, really, since farmer’s markets used to be so prevalent. Where had they gone? Had the summer withered them on the vine? I couldn’t help thinking that something was amiss.
“I know,” Tristan said, his voice soft as he manuevered the car in a straight line. “It’s not getting any better. It’s getting worse.”
“I know,” I said, my stomach tangled in knots.
“Hey.” Tristan tapped his fingers against the back of my hand. “Stay in the moment with me. Be present in the here and now. We can only do so much, Dee.”
“I know,” I repeated again, miserable, as tears began to dribble down my cheeks. When Tristan finished parking, he leaned across the console to draw me into a hug.
“Oh, Dee, you’re breaking my heart,” he said.
“I’m sorry,” I said as I cried harder. It was as if I could feel the very earth crying, thirsting, below me. It hurt, and I wanted it to stop.
“Dee,” Tristan said, a warning note in his voice, “let’s go look at the fields. Okay?”
