I was a little nervous, with everyone around us at the lake. Audrey was beautiful as ever, her dark, wet hair waving against golden skin tanned by the summer sun. My eyes were drawn to her. I always wanted to know what she was doing, what she was looking at. I wanted to be the center of her attention, but I was nervous about making that happen.
Then I crawled onto the kayak. The water was quite chilly if I remember correctly. Enough so that getting up above into the air and drying in the sun felt wonderful. Honestly, I can't remember if I was bold and climbed onto her kayak, or if I was bold and invited her onto mine, but it doesn't really matter.
What was important is that we were together, legs draped over the edge and dipping into the lake. I was more than aware of how close she was behind me. Close enough to wrap her arms around me if she wanted.
Boy did I want Audrey's arms wrapped around me.
But there was no chance I was going to ask, so instead I opted to impress her with my rowing ability instead. I paddled all around, hoping that if I kept things moving and interesting she would stay aboard the tiny boat.
To my surprise and joy, Audrey did stay. In fact, as I scooted backwards (slowly, so that she wouldn't notice I was getting closer), she seemed to stay in place. The sun could have set and I wouldn't have noticed. I was so focused on the touch of her legs against my hips and legs.
We were so, so close.
In my nervousness, I couldn't help being silly. I know for a fact I splashed her on purpose at last 5 times with the paddle, and probably made some jokes that weren't funny or didn't make sense, but hopefully that isn't what she remembers.
Eventually, I worked up the courage to lean back. To feel her body against mine as we rocked with the waves of a passing boat.
She leaned forwards against me. I felt very serious in that moment. I was probably so focused on what I was feeling (since she was behind me) that I was scowling to anyone who looked. But really I was just concentrated. I think I even stopped rowing. The whole world might as well have disappeared.
The sun had heated my back and her front, yet somehow her touch was cooling, relaxing my whole body.
Audrey wrapped her arms around me. I might've blacked out, I honestly don't know. I wouldn't have been surprised. She moved with more grace and gentleness than I could have imagined possible in a somewhat unbalanced boat that tipped with a small shift in weight.
I couldn't quite hug her back, given that she was behind me, so I hugged her arms, placing my own atop hers. I didn't want to move. Didn't want the moment to pass. I wanted to ingrain it into my memory so that I could think about it forever and share with her how much it meant to me.
Lucky enough for me, my mom stood on top of a boat dock, waving us over. I was in luck, she had a camera in her hands.
We both looked up at a sharp angle. I would have thought that The picture would look rough, but it turned out better than I could have imagined. She leaned in against me, her head just to the side of mine.
Now every time I think about the lake, I can't help thinking about the time we went out on the kayak.
