Sands Of Time

Mi Diablo En Verde

Bruno stood there holding my hands gently in his. A soft silence had settled over us after I said yes. His bright smile soon gave way to an awkward chuckle, and he let my hands go with a little reluctance. "So...what now?" It was a fair question. We hardly knew anything about each other, it was getting late...and no one knew I was up here!

"Mierda." I whispered to myself, Bruno looked at me with concern. It was my turn to give an awkward giggle, "No one knows I'm up here with you. I, um, kinda snuck up here after asking to use the bathroom. Mamá is probably worried sick." His lips turned up slightly in a grin and let out a small laugh. It was natural and oddly melodic to me. He turned, stepped over to the hammock, and pulled his ruana out of the folds. "What are you doing?" He slipped the fabric over his head and turned to me with a smile.

"I'm not going to let you go down all those stairs and face your mother alone." He held out his arm to me and I looked at the gesture with a little surprise. Note to self: Bruno is a gentleman. He saw the accidental hesitation I showed, and started to put his arm down. "I'm sorry. Too soon? I didn't mean-" I smiled and tucked my arm around his. Being so close to him again, the soft earthiness of his scent carried over to me.

"It's fine. It was just unexpected." His eyebrows slowly slid back down as he fixed his arm back in place for me, and we started for the doorway. "Oh!" My expletive startled Bruno. I saw the glowing hourglasses on his workbench again, and I rushed over to grab one. "May I?" Holding one of the larger ones. It was actually quite beautiful, especially now that I was looking at it up close. The woodwork was carved intricately to look like flowing sand wrapping around the glass. I remembered that Bruno said he made them as I traced my finger over the delicate inlay of the tiny pieces of emerald that speckled the woodwork.

"You...actually want that one?" Bruno walked up behind me and looked at the one I was holding. I'm sure he remembered the vision that it was made from, but he didn't say. Instead he asked, "Why?"

"Because it's beautiful. I can tell you put a lot time and effort into making something this elaborate. You did such a wonderful job." I ran a finger over a cluster of the tiny gems. "Plus, I think it would make an awesome night light." I held it out and giggled as I looked over at him. He looked a little stunned and I watched as he searched my face for any falsehood in my words. "So? Can I keep it?" I hugged it gently to my chest and watched his eyes follow my movements. They seemed to linger on where the hourglass was pressed to, but he blinked and stuttered out his words.

"Ye-yes. Yes you can." I smiled and slipped my new decoration into my bag as best as I could. I was barely able to close the draw string. Then I hooked my arm back in his and we continued out the door. Bruno remarked about the pun I had inadvertently made about putting time into an hourglass and we both laughed.

That was until we got to the bridge, I had forgotten about the bridge. Bruno took his arm back from me, and for a split second I thought I would have to walk it a lone. Then I felt his arm wrap around my shoulder. He pulled me against him with a gentle strength that made me feel like nothing could hurt me. His warmth next to me helped keep my mind off of the massive chasm that would soon be beneath my feet. His other hand reached across himself and waited in front of me. I took hold of his long digits and without a thought of what was below me, I was guided across the wooden slats. Once on the other side, Bruno paused to make sure I was okay. Since this time I wasn't a shaking mess, he held out his arm to me and we started our descent on the long flight of stairs.

Our giggles reverberated off the high stone walls as we clumsily tried to take the stairs in sync with each other. It took a couple steps, but we took the rest of the stairs down with a little more fluidity. When we got to the bottom, Bruno paused and looked back up with a sigh, "Julie is going to be mad that I left my plate up there." He shrugged and we started for the door, "Guess I'll just have to remember to bring it down later." I patted the back of his hand with a small giggle. Bruno opened the door and stepped aside to let me through first. As I stepped through the door I heard my name being called out by my mother in panic. I raced down the extra flight of stairs and leaned over the balcony railing.