lost

three days before the storm

        “you see that cloud up there?”

        “where?”

        “right there,” i say, pointing to the turtle-shaped cloud in the sky.

        he follows my finger and as if he finally sees it, a small smile appears on his face.

        “what does it look like to you?” i ask, turning on my side to face him, while he lays on his back.

        “a cloud.”

        "just a cloud? nothing else?"

        "nope," he says, popping the 'p'.

        “well, it looks like a turtle to me."

        “you’ve always had a big imagination,” he says as he mirrors his body to face me.

        our eyes lock on each other. i take in his jade colored eyes and sigh contently.

        “it’s better to dream, then to focus on reality,” i say quietly.  

        “and that’s why i love you.”