alleymon First Kiss
By Howard Allen
At first they stood toe to toe, as if wary of the others place. He looked at her with a new interest; she examined him curiously.
They were in a green and shady backyard. The afternoon was warm, the shade of the tree they stood beneath,
cool and refreshing.
Now, in a moment frozen in time, he gently rested his hands on her shoulders, while she placed her hands around his neck.
He brushed her lips gently as her blue eyes widened with surprise.
“Oh!” she murmured.
“Gosh!” was his one syllable reply.
“Again?” he asked, smilingly.
“Please,” she said, blue eyes tightly shut; for the second time, their lips met.
“Did you like it?” he wondered.
“Oh, yes, at least I think so. Could we try once more, please?”
Two old friends sat together on the porch swing, again after so many years. Each had married another sweetheart.
And so on this bright day they’d met hoping to mute the pain of loss with friendship.
No words were necessary, only the touch of hands. “Wonder what Janie and Paul are doing? Maybe they’ll be friends.”
He nodded, smiling warmly as her head now nestled near his. “They’re playing in our old backyard.”
“The one with the tree?” she blushed.
But seven year old Janie, and Paul, nine were past friendship. New sweethearts had been born next to the old tree.
“Hi Mom, Hi Dad,” they shouted together.
“Daddy, Paul’s my friend. Could we live next door?”
“I guess so, Janie; okay, neighbor?” Her eyes met his, and a warm touch sealed the bargain as hearts were mended.