The Absolute Blue Moon

- Tom Hoult -

I slowly close my eyes as I took a deep inhaled, only to enjoy the scent that burst out of his body. There seems to be a pyramid of scents. Bergamot and ice, sage, and oak wood. The mixture gives off a tremendous freshness impression that infiltrate thru my nose and possess in my brain right away. So tempting. Within this close position where I could inbreathe his scent clearly and deeply, I announced to myself that his distinctive smell now become a drug for me. I know that I will always want more and more, like never enough.

This man then gently twisted my body, with his hands stay still on my shoulder. My eyes are open. He unplugs my earphone then whispers, "Look, she's good. She just wants to find out, whether you are a threat or not, especially to her twin babies." He said almost in a whisper. Our cheeks are now only about a finger apart. Also, the moose's nose now even closer to my face, like sniffing. I didn't like it, so I stepped back. But my head hit this Mr. Neighbor's chest. His hard chest, like a stone. "It's okay. All you have to do is just to be relax. I'll be right here." He continued the whisper. His cold breath tickling my ears. Calm me down. I nodded in agreement.

Mama moose finally slowly backed away after she finished examining me, she looked away, and back on her tracks where she belongs to. Seemed like she only popped out from my left to cross the main street, then disappeared through the woods to my right.

"See? Aren't they cute?" The man who stands behind me said.

"No." How can an animal like that be said to be cute? They are neither dogs nor cats nor rabbits. "And they shouldn't pass through this area. Also, there should be kind of a border between human life and the wildlife here. So, they wouldn't bother anyone in this neighborhood." Oops, did I sound annoying? I took a glance to his eyes, worried if he thought I was in animal adversary mode. "Sorry, I didn't meant to ... well, it's not that I am hostile in animals, nor do I hate them, it's just ... Don't they think they could have been hit by a car or something? Or worry about the hunter that might be hiding somewhere nearby and already on their perfect position to shot them?" His eyebrows raised, and those eyes were like 'really? Are you done? Is there anything else you want to blurt?' "Okay, the babies are cute." I corrected my answer and walked.

He took steps to following me and giggled. That was the cutest giggle I've ever heard. "We're living surrounded by the wildlife here," that was exactly what I said to Davis this morning, wasn't it? Look how the table turns. "There are many creatures lives here, and we're live together in such a peace. What you've seen is just one of them. You should be getting used to it as long as you live here."

"Oh, okay." I simply respond.

"So, where are you going actually?"

"Wait, you haven't answered my question and now you asked me?" I raised my eyebrow at him, "No way, dude. You must answer me first since I asked you first."

He frowned, "Did you asked me? When?"

"Yes, I did. Right before you interrupt me to turn around and face that mama moose." I stop and folding my arms across my chest.

He did the same as me to stop. Those brown eyes were closed for a moment, still frowning. How cute he is. I can't help but I let a small smile played on my lips. "Ah, yes. I remember. But that wasn't a question yet since you haven't finished your sentence. How could I possibly to give you an answer for that?"

"I know. But still, I asked you first. So, don't you try to argue it anymore, just answer me." I commanded.

His hands raised defensively, "Okay, okay, ma'am. Say it."

I cleared my throat, "How did you found me? Where have you been? I mean, I've been looking surrounding seconds before the moose approaching me, and it was clearly nobody around but me. There is no doubt about that. Then in sudden you showed up from nowhere. And swiftly caught me. So, I didn't fell. Thanks to you."