There are but a few moments in a young woman's life that can later be recalled with such clarity, that it is like the moment never passed.
Our young love was simple, built on friendship and trust; a fearless love. Many days were spent sharing our thoughts and being together. I remember one such time in particular. It was the first time I ever saw what was behind someone else's eyes.
We were riding in the back seat of my mom's car. You were facing forward with your feet on the floor; I was leaning with my back on the door, legs resting across yours. You had warm hands that you rested comfortably upon the flair of my bell bottom jeans. The warm evening sun shined through the window, and was absorbed by my long dark hair.
In that moment, of listening to you speak; I experienced a subtle focus that brought to light a multitude of beautiful ribbons, swirled blues and grays in the iris of your eyes. I watched the light from the fading day play up the rivers of bright and dark blue. There existed a spectrum of color that ranged from the clearest blue like the brightest spot at the top of a clear morning sky, to the bruised shades of an evening thunderstorm menacing on the horizon.
Your cheeks were always a little pink and your skin tone was pure. You had a smile that infallibly made me forget all my adolescent troubles. In that moment a naive belief took root in my mind; no matter what happened in life I would always have your eyes to smile back at, and your hand to hold.
I have spent many years missing you; wondering where you were, if life had changed you, if you thought of me. What I saw behind your eyes in the back seat of my mom's car on that summer evening was a kind of simple love I have never seen since.
