write to me

Summer evenings, just as the sun is starting to set, have a distinct smell. Once the earth begins to cool, the faint breeze holds an earthy floral scent, sweet and nostalgic in the way it fills her lungs.

With her back pressed against the enormous oak tree, the one adorning the tire swing, Clementine tilts her head back to admire the golden glow of the sky. Stretching her legs out along the soft green grass, she wiggles her toes and sighs at the freeing feeling of naked feet. Her sundress, a yellow cotton lacking sleeves, flows around her, soft and clean.

A harsh burst of wind ruffles her curls and cools her warm cheeks, sending goosebumps along her bare arms.

It's peaceful here, more so than anywhere else, she thinks as she watches the tire swing sway with every warm breath of wind.

"This is a nice change."

Lee leans against the tree, admiring the swing with her.

"Much better than the train," he adds with a smirk.

"I think so," she smiles.

Lee inhales deeply, rolling up his sleeves as he moves to sit beside her with a small huff. Clementine scoots closer to him, resting her temple against his shoulder.

"How you doin'?" he asks. "With everything?"

She glances down at her legs, spreading her toes out again.

"I don't know."

"It's a lot to handle at once."

Clementine closes her eyes, linking her arm with his and whispering, "It hurts. All of it."

"I know it does."

Lee pulls his arm away to wrap it around her shoulders, pulling her into a side hug.

"You're alive, though. That's all that matters."

While the safety of his embrace calms her, it does nothing to lessen the tight squeeze around her heart, like a hand whose fingertips dig in deep enough to break through. It's a pain that causes her exhaling breaths to shake, teetering on the line of a mere quivering chin and a desperate, broken sob.

"By the way, can I just ask-" Lee says, catching her attention. When she peers up at him, he's staring forward with a curious brow perked. "-why purple?"

She follows his gaze to the unfinished mansion, so enormous it surpasses the clouds, seemingly neverending. It's only partially painted, most of it remaining an off-white color while the rest a is the loveliest shade of royal purple she's ever seen. When the setting light hits it just right, it's intensity becomes breathtaking.

"Don't see a lot of purple houses," she says quietly, a small, woeful small tugging at her lips. "Why not stand out?"

Lee chuckles, the laughter rumbling against her, easing the tension she feels within herself.

"Yeah, guess that's true. But, what about all those floors? The rooms? It's gonna take him a long time to finish it," Lee grins, pulling back to fully look at her. "He hasn't stopped talking about it, you know. Got it all figured out. He's been tellin' me all his plans for this one floor with nothin' but pillows on it."

That gets a real laugh out of her, the giggles erupting to where she has to cover her mouth.

"God, of course."