Desert Love

Julie was standing by the copy machine. Her co-worker John had swiftly left when he saw her coming. Now he was walking toward her with a smile on his face. Then to her amazement in a matter of a fact voice he began to talk to her. She have had many sleepless nights thinking and dreaming about him. He had no idea that she was madly attracted to him. Many times she turned away when she saw him flirting and talking to the other woman in the office because he barely ever spoke to her.

He nonchalantly asked her if she had ever been to the dessert.

Barely able to utter a word due to the shock of him addressing her. She replied, with forced effort,

No, I haven’t.

Then he began to talk almost like a poet or an artist painting a lovely vision of pretty blooming flowers stuck on prickly plants in a scored wildness resting sand and rolling grey clouds that pour down rain only in one spot while an other areas close by not touched. By the time he had finished she had accepted a date to to see the beauty of the dessert.

So spectacular it was just as he had said, only more so! She rode beside John in his jeep on the rough trail, in awe staring at the magnificent scenery of the once she thought barren and dry land. She was fascinated by every bush and cactus along the trail. A puff of cloud cross an endless blue sky and the air was hot and dry, yet she found it fascinating.

What’s the name of that plant? She asked. It stood talk with leaves out like an octopus.

Oh that is called agave, he answered.

Then she suddenly saw something on the horizon.

What is that? She asked him. His eyes became large and she could see his frighten look. It a dust storm, he screamed loudly. It evoked in me a chill that the heat of the desert could not dispel.

He immediately turned the jeep toward some rocks that jutted out from the mountain by the side of the dirt road. He stops the jeep and screams to her.

Get out! Let try make it to those rocks!

He quickly grabs her hand and they run toward the rocks. It was a group of big rocks nested together forming a big circle with a flat boulder.

Look! He pointed to an entrance to a cave in the hillside.

What if there is is a mountain lion inside? She asked as she stepped back.

Then I guess we will have to share, he said.

She looked at him and realized he was joking! How could he joke at a time like this- yet she couldn’t help laughing.

Then they ran toward the cave . She turned her head to look back and saw how fast the dust storm was approaching.

.They barely made it inside the dark hollow cave before it hit. They stood facing each other.

Don’t worry- we are safe here, he said, trying to comfort her.

How can you be so sure?

I’m not—but I think so! There he goes again she thought that dry sense of humor , but oddly it made her smile.

Then she turned around . She screamed!. Wide eyed, she stared too afraid to move. He looked into her eyes and turned in the direction she was looking. When he saw the black hairy spider he said to her with a small tremble in his voice.

It okay- it’s just a spider.

He grabbed a big rick from the ground and throw it at the large spider and the rock landed on it splashing it .

He looked at her and smiled with a sigh of relief.

Somehow she suddenly saw him as a gallery knight who had just rescued her from a fire breathing dragon.

Then she hear the fierce wind as it whirled pass the caves entrance. The large puffy sandy dust cloud was now up in them. He put his arms around her and pulled her back further into the cave.

He reached in his pocket and gave her a handkerchief - put this over you face!

He took the one he had around his neck and put it on his face. They hugged the cave wall putting their face away from the opening.

When the wind got stronger and some of the sand was coming inside in spite of their distance from the entrance he bravely put his body between her and the dust flying doorway.

She stood perfectly still feeling his warmth, inner strength and to her surprise a feeling of safety, He looked down at her and she knew what his eyes were saying. They were echoing the deep feelings that was coming from some invisible place floating from her heart. His lips blind to any other reality her tender then passionately like time would steal the moment. she responded just as eagerly. The ignited fire between them burned intensely and just as suddenly as the billowing cloud of stinging dust appeared - it vanished - move in another direction leaving a empty silence in the air.

He took her hand and guided her outside to the beautiful light of the sitting sun.

They walked hand and hand to the smooth rock in the center of the circle. He took her in his arms and she put her arms around his neck and kissed seeming like forever to her. They sat down and she felt his arms around her gently holding her.

The golden sun sinked below the horizon in stretches of yellow clouds. The sun rays felt warm and when she looked at him, the light rays covered him casting a magical glow around him.

You know I have had my eye on you for a long time.

From the very moment I saw you — I stood speechless- I thought staying away from you I could get you out of my mind but your presence was with me even when you were not there- I knew I had to have you— and what ever it took - I would do.

She looks at him and smiled.

I must admit - I thought you didn’t particularly care for me- now-

My heart has been your from the moment I saw you-

They kissed this time - with mutual realization of their deep love for each other.