Honeysuckle Heat (episode 3)

On By Michele LeeIn Dreams, flash fiction, Humor, love, Prose

from (previous) Honeysuckle Heat… In their floating dream they remained until the first hint of morning burst over the distant mountains, causing them to dart from the water, grab their crumpled clothes, and sprint back to the house, laughing with each hurried step. Once inside, they fell onto his unmade bed, into each other’s arms, and into a deep sleep.

😴 😴

Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock.

Who is that and what the hell do they want this early in the morning? Not wanting to wake his lover, sleeping so peacefully, he kept these thoughts to himself.

His tired eyes, now open, revealed it was not that early. The bright sunshine that pierced through the warped window glass was softened by wavy strands of her hair that created a delicate filter between his face and the sun’s rays. Still damp where his head rested, her cascading hair was a sanctuary for him, sheltering him from the light and keeping him cool. He closed his eyes and breathed her in. The scents of rosemary and mint enveloped him. Oh, how he had missed those scents, now blended with fresh lake water and honeysuckle from the night before.  

Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock.

He could not do the one thing he wanted to do – stretch his arm through the screen door to strangle whoever was disturbing this moment, so, he did the only he could do, which was the last thing he wanted to do – pull himself away from her.

Slowly, he lifted his resting right arm from her waist and lifted his upper body from the bed with a nearly useless left arm that had fallen asleep. Before peeling himself off the bed, he covered her with the sheet that had turned into a twisted rope near her feet. Whoever stood on the other side of the door would either need to wait longer or go away. He could not leave. Not yet. He was captivated by the beautiful scene – the dancing rays, the gentle rise and fall of her slowed breathes (much slower than the night before) the curve of her body under the white flat sheet, her hair spilling down the pillow… maybe he was dreaming. He wanted to memorize the details of this moment, just in case he returned to an empty bed with only his impression left.   

The knocking persisted. His annoyance was escalating. He opened the door, then the screen door, not angrily like he wanted to, but slowly as to not disturb the dreaming woman. Prepared to cuss at the person on other side, he was met by a surprise. A startled woodpecker, determined to destroy one of the porch pillars, flew away at the sight of him.

Damn bird, he said in a laughing whisper, then he went back inside.

Inside, where the only breakfast options were stale cereal and brown bananas. That would not do, and he needed to get fresh coffee. He did not always drink coffee or eat breakfast. Most mornings he would wake up with an idea for his book, plunge into his writing and not look up until lunch time. If she is not a figment of his overactive and overtaxed imagination, he knew she would wake up famished after travelling all day and loving all night.

He did not want to wake her, so he grabbed a shirt from the laundry basket in the hallway, threw on his jeans that he had tossed on the couch after the two of them, naked and laughing, burst through the screen door. He emptied his backpack, slipped on his shoes, put his wallet in his pocket, wrote her a quick note, then peddled down the road to the farmer’s market. He felt a little foolish riding the property owner’s bike that was too small for his height, but he was hoping to leave and return quietly and surprise her with breakfast.

He returned with organic coffee, fresh fruit, farm eggs and sausage, homemade bread, grits, butter, strawberry jelly, and fresh cut flowers. She did not eat eggs or sausage in California, but maybe she will be tempted by farm fresh. If not, he would devour every bite. Not wanting to forget the first thing she would ask for; he made the coffee then began making breakfast for two.

Eggs popping, sausage sizzling, grits bubbling, toast warming, fresh fruit filling the air, he heard his bedroom door open. With each creak of the floor, his heart began to beat faster.

Wearing nothing but his white sheet, he smiled when he saw her, then he laughed.

“What are you laughing at?” she asked.

“I am laughing at you, Lady of the Lake. Sorry, but you have a leaf stuck in your hair.”

She reached up and felt the right side of her head.

“No, it’s on the other side,” he said, still laughing.  

He removed the green leaf from her matted hair. Then he kissed her and lifted her onto to the counter, next to the juicy peaches.

………………………

Camera pan right: Neighbor Nelly was up early dumping her coffee grounds on her mulch pile when she saw a blaze of bare skin streak passed her eyes. 😂

This was an enjoyable write that made me very hungry. 😁 Thank you for visiting and reading. Be well. 💗 Michele

Find my photos and poems on Instagram ~ @mlsefton

Photo 1: by Kristin Vogt (Pexels) P2: by Charlotte May (Pexels) P3: Google images P4: by Suzy Hazelwood (Pexels) P5: my quote & graphic

© 2021 Michele Lee Sefton.

59 thoughts on “Honeysuckle Heat (episode 3)”

  1. Wowww dear Michele, most awaited 🥰 my eyes were just reading n the heart was floating so deeply in each inch of it’s beautiful pleasant fantastical moments. How magical the feeling and imagination of this lovely “honey suckle”. The sudden disconnect of suspense disappointed me I would keep waiting for the next episode eagerly. 😇🤗❤

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    1. Thank you for reading and enjoying, Suma. They did have quite a long sleep. Lucky them! 😆 Lucky them for a few reasons. 🥰 I will do my best to not keep you in suspense too long before episode 4. 😄 Have a lovely weekend. 🌞

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    1. Thank you. 😊 A nice way to start the day-for me the writer and for the well-rested Honeysuckle couple. 😁 Yes, this story has a few engaging elements… I even threw in the kitchen sink. 😆 A cliffhanger, or should I say countertop hanger. 😄 Have a wonderful weekend.

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    1. Thank you, Elle. A story that makes me smile. Sweet romance. 💕 That photo found me actually and then the scene came to me. Thank you for commenting on it – her expression makes me laugh. 😆 I hope you are settling in to your new place. Best to you!

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    1. A lovely description, thank you, Brad. Glad you enjoyed episode 3. If I keep writing episodes, I may end up with a book. 📗 🤔 I think that was the most excitement Nelly has had in a long time, so don’t feel too bad for her! She might be the one knocking next time. 😂

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  6. Bravo, Michele!!! Honeysuckle Heat (episode 3) is an apt continuance of your exquisite storyline ~ a beautiful love affair with captivating imagery…hunger has many forms, and breakfast can wait 💓

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    1. Why, thank you, Phil. I will hold my bow for now. 😆 I am enjoying my Georgia visits and the unfolding of this delightful story. 😊 haha Yes, breakfast can wait! There is other sizzling to take place. 🥰 Enjoy the weekend!

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      1. You’re most welcome my friend & thanks, you too. 🙏 I’ve got a 1973 Steve Miller song 🎶😅 in my head (no kidding) and the weekend weather outside looks gorgeous.☀️

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      2. That sounds wonderful and a great way for little ones to burn off some energy. 🌄 Here it would be a drive to E.R. after collapsing from a heat stroke. 🤪 Soon, it will be safe to climb a mountain. Figuratively, we climb them every day, don’t we? 😄 Relaxing moments are rare with little ones. Actually, having a teenager wasn’t too relaxing either. 😂 So far, so good, thank you.

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  8. A long sleep 😴 …the knock, knock, knock of “Woody the Woodpecker” 😜 🐦 and oh that white sheet! 😱 I hope when he lifted her atop the counter, next to the peaches, and the neighbor outside (probably clutching her pearls 🤣) who sees the streaker, that the peaches were the only thing that was juicy! 🍑

    Honey, girlfriend, your imagery…oh my word…made me slap my face with cold water again. 💦Although not as much intense “heat” as your last episode, because that darn woodpecker made me laugh, it was still quite steamy to say the least! 🌞 🔥 ☀️

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    1. haha I did consider pearl-clutching Nelly when I wrote the last scene and if she might be a nosey neighbor nearby or if she needed a long nap after her early morning excitement. 😂 We shall see if she shows up again. Maybe she will bring them (him) fresh buns. 🤣

      Thank you, Kym. A little wood-splintering comic relief in this one, but I am not cooling it down with snow-cone subjects, like we wrote about last time.😆 I am having fun though and I do keep my fan nearby. 😂😂 LOL Cheers to honeysuckle, romance, and sweet peaches! 🌸💖🍑 🥂
      Stay cool! 😎 😘

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      1. Michele you are delightfully entertaining my friend. I enjoy the experience with your imagery, surprises, and emotion! Whew, what a ride! (no pun intended) 😲 🎢 🤭

        Here’s lookin’ at you kid!!! 🧐 💃🏽 🤗 💐 🥵

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  11. My, my, just as steamy and sensual as the last entry. I love the vivid descriptions you create, Michele. Your language is lovely and inspiring. I can’t wait for the next entry…counters, peaches, sausage, eggs…so many places to go! 😀 Have a lovely Saturday. 🥰❤️

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    1. It is a steamy summer down in Georgia and getting hotter. 😄 Thank you, Jeff, for appreciating my language – love language in this story. 💕 An inspiring and delightful storyline to work on. Not that it feels like work. 😁 Oh, the places they’ll go… no green eggs and ham though. 😆 Thank you and a lovely weekend to you too! ❣

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      1. Indeed! 😄 You’re welcome, Michele. The language is beautiful. ❤️ I can’t wait to read on…hahahaha. No green eggs and ham? Hmmm. That’s okay. 😉😄 Thank you! 🥰

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  13. Oh dear, Michele, a more considerate man never lived! I come to the end of this tale amused by the woodpecker but it is the camera pan right that has me laughing! I can think only of the film Like Water for Chocolate in which Gertrudis runs naked across the desert and is carried away by a revolutionary soldier. She is the only one of the three sisters in the story who truly finds happiness . . .

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    1. You may be right, Jaya. I suppose that is another reason to tag this “fantasy.” 😂 If we are going to write a romantic tale, might as well weave a good one! 🤣 The woodpecker was just the build up to Nelly. 😆 I am making myself laugh, all over again. Thank you for encouraging my silliness on this Sunday. A most splendid gift! I have not seen that movie, but I clearly must! Sounds delightful. As are you! Have a super week, writer Jaya. 🌻

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    1. I am so glad you enjoyed the Honeysuckle Heat, Natalie. 😁 Ha! Yes, agreed! I almost wrote that he had recently learned how to make them (in the south) but decided to leave that detail out. Thank you!

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