It was still summer, technically. But there was a stiff, fall breeze coming off the lake, letting her feel the small pleasure, and protection, of her sweater's warmth, as he walked along beside her.
A camera hung around her neck and bobbed against her sternum as they took another turn around the dock.
"What's that?" he said, pointing up at the sky.
She followed his arm. "Another vulture, I think."
"Are you sure?"
Well, no. The truth was that she'd been too distracted by his nearness to put her mind on much else. But no. A vulture wouldn't reflect the sun's light like that.
"A hawk, maybe?" she said, coming to a stop and shielding her eyes. "Or an osprey?"
"Too big," he said, looking with her as the bird skirted the gap in the clouds.
"Wait," she said, reaching for his arm. "I think it's a bald eagle."
"I think you're right."
They stood like that, with her hand on his forearm, for a full minute of silence. The giant bird turned and leveled, turned and leveled. She was conscious of the feel of his flannel on her fingertips, the camera's weight around her neck, an exquisite breeze just lifting her hair.
Finally, he spoke.
"Don't you want to take a picture?"
She turned to him, and with her other hand, dutifully pressed the button on the camera hanging around her neck.
"There," she said.
He lifted an eyebrow, wonderingly.
"I don't need a picture of it," she explained, sliding her arm through his and watching the eagle dive at the lake with a sudden, spearing intention.
"I just want to remember, like this."
4 comments:
Lana says this kind of thing quite often, about how sometimes it's better not to photograph something but just remember it.
I agree with Lana.
I like how short and sweet this is with not all that much depth to dive into to get a nice warm feeling. Good work! As a writer myself, I'm checking out your work to learn as well. Also, I really appreciate the short yet telling line, it's better not to photograph it but to remember it... that is sweet and that is a line that can be quoted on and on again. If you're interested in checking out the kind of stuff I write, do check out my blog too,
https://axam-shortstories.blogspot.my
Hoping to read more beautiful pieces, keep up the good work.
Thanks so much, Axam. Sorry it took me so long to comment. I didn't notice before this!
But I appreciate your kind words and look forward to checking out your work soon.
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