"Spearmint and Musk Oil" (Spillwords Press Prompt: The Taste of Memory)

http://spillwords.com/author/phyllispcolucci/  

https://www.amazon.com/Phyllis-P.-Colucci/e/B00VMU8B44  

 (Photos from Pinterest)

 

  

            …The sun came crashing through my bedroom window this morning, forcing itself upon my bed through the old screen and pulled up shade. It made a direct hit to my pale face and squinting, sleepy eyes. Only today, it carried with it a familiar aroma, which it playfully tossed between its golden rays until the fragrance settled deep into my nostrils. I recognized it immediately. It was a mix of “spearmint and musk oil”; something I hadn’t smelled in a long time. It tugged at my heartstrings, and dug up some really old feelings I had hidden away some time ago. It was the essence of “him”… the essence of us… the essence of the past… with haunting echoes of the 1970’s and that New York edge... the haunting memories of what we once were when youth and innocence were all we knew.

                 I was paralyzed by these memories of “him” today; the special love we shared, and the wonderful times we spent together. I could still hear the classic rock songs that thrilled our hearts and souls, as we listened to every word while wrapped in each other’s arms on the linoleum floor of his parents’ living room. I always succumbed to that aroma of “spearmint and musk oil” whenever we were together. He chewed spearmint gum all the time. It made his kisses so sweet and so sensual, while the musk oil he wore transformed him into that rugged young man I found so irresistible. I fell victim to his strong arms and his magic touch during all those “yesterdays” – And now, today, I felt it all over again, simply because the aromas of “spearmint and musk oil” have reawakened those desires for “him” deep down inside of me. I couldn’t move out of bed. I didn’t want to.

                 I continued to take in deep breaths of “spearmint and musk oil” which permeated my bedroom like a humongous cloud overhead. I became intoxicated and did not want to let go of this moment. However, it let go of me.  The “spearmint and musk oil” dissipated as quickly as it came, and left behind the memories of a past love. With a faint smile upon my lips and a few teardrops from my eyes, I had to say goodbye again. As elusive as “spearmint and musk oil” had become over the years, I learned today that I will always miss him.