Keeping Kama

Chapter 11

With Derek, Leia weaved around the back of her apartment, making their way to the dirt path which cut across her parents’ property. After their arms brushed for the second time, Derek laced his fingers through hers, giving her hand a squeeze. They walked for a while in silence, passing by the tight, even rows of different fruit plants. The air reeked of manure. Unconsciously, Leia waved her free hand back and forth in front of her face to mitigate the pungent aroma.

“It usually doesn’t smell this bad,” commented Leia. She pinched her nose for a few seconds, but it didn’t help. The smell wasn’t going away, and Leia needed to force herself to smell it so eventually she’d get used to it. “This is definitely still fresh, and I’m remembering why when I gave you a tour of Kama, we never got this close.”

Derek shrugged. “It doesn’t bother me.”

“You’d think it wouldn’t bother me either after all of these years, but I guess I have a bit of a sensitive nose,” said Leia.

Derek ran a single finger down the slope of her nose. “But it’s a beautiful nose.” Leia gave Derek a playful tap against his shoulder. “Anyhoo, when does school start for you tomorrow?” asked Derek.

A groan escaped her, and Leia dramatically dragged her feet, kicking up dirt. “It starts at eight. So, I’ll be up at five to go for a long run before I head in to work. I must be to the school by seven forty-five.”

Leia couldn’t remember dreading her return to teaching this much, but then again, she hadn’t spent any of her prior breaks with a hunky guy. Part of her didn’t want tomorrow to come, because it meant Derek was that much closer to leaving her for good. Then what?

“Can I join you for your run?” asked Derek. “At least for the first few miles. I don’t think I’ll see you tomorrow if I don’t go.”

Leia looped her hands around his elbow. “Hey, I thought you promised me dinner tomorrow night.” Raising an eyebrow, Leia continued, “I expect you to take me some place spectacular if it’s really our last night together.”

Derek wrapped an arm around her waist. “Oh, you remember that part, do you?” asked Derek.

A single finger landed firmly in the center of his rock-hard chest. “I remember everything.” Leia meant for the words to come off playfully, but the air grew thick between them. Instantly, she regretted revealing how deep her new feelings were for Derek.

Forcing herself to look away, Leia dropped her hand from his elbow, picking up her pace a bit. Derek reached out, running a hand down the length of her arm. Slowing down, Leia twisted to glance up at him.

Their eyes caught. Derek pursed his lips for a moment then said, “I remember everything too, everything that has to do with you.” He blinked.

His words whizzed through her. Even if Derek did claim to remember their time together, maybe that’s all it would be … memories.

Soon, they left the rows of fruit plants of Kama Farm behind. The clearing along the dirt path squeezed tighter. On both sides of the path were luscious green plants and myriad flowers in every color under the sun. Kama’s acreage was left further and further behind them as the quiet stillness of nature surrounded them.

“In the summers, I used to always run back and forth on this path with my cousins.” Leia pointed at a small path to the right. “If you follow that path it leads to a small watering hole where we would swim, until the sunshine dried it up until the next summer.”

“Sounds idyllic,” replied Derek. “Most of my summers, I was stuck in summer day camps because both of my parents worked. I never knew any of the other kids, and I always kept to myself. It was long and boring. By the time summer ended, I was grateful to go back to school. At least at school, I knew the kids from the previous years and could see my friends again.”

“I— I’m sorry that was your experience.” Leia couldn’t imagine a life without it being filled with family. “I know I’m lucky to have so much family. When we get together for birthdays or weddings, it’s one big party. It’s loud with Hawaiian music and more food than anyone could ever finish. If you stick around long enough, you’ll see what I mean.” The words tumbled out before she had a chance to process them. “I— I—” Leia fiddled with some loosened wisps of her hair, forcing herself to tuck them behind her ears.

Stopping, Derek shifted closer to her. “I’d love to see it.” His hand found hers, and he continued, “I’d be honored to go, and I wish I’d be here to go with you.”

His words settled in the uncomfortable spot in the pit of her stomach. Leia tried to ignore the nagging feeling building inside of her.

Tugging Derek forward, Leia said, “Come on. Enough about things we shouldn’t worry about right now. We’re getting close to my favorite spot, and I don’t want to be in a sour mood.”

Derek obeyed, matching her step for step as the dirt path curved upward. Climbing for a few minutes, Derek gripped his chest dramatically. “Thanks again for reminding me once again how out of shape I am,” commented Derek.

Leia rolled her eyes and whacked Derek on his arm. “Stop being so hard on yourself.”

Soon, the path evened out. Leia led him to an opening above the tops of the trees. Both halted to catch their breath. Up here they took in the view of Kama Farm and her parents’ home nestled in the distance. Then the earth gave way to the miles of seemingly endless ocean.

Derek stared out unflinchingly at all of it. Finally, Derek exhaled and said, “Wow. This might be the most beautiful view I’ve ever seen.”

Leia squealed and clapped her hands together. “I knew you’d love it.” Her hand found his, and Leia led him to a grouping of flat rocks. “Let’s sit for a minute.” She tapped the screen of her watch. “We have maybe a half hour until sunset.” She sat down on a rock big enough for them to sit side by side.

Derek lowered himself next to her and said, “I see why this is your favorite place in the whole world.” He stared out at the view. Slowly, he removed her backpack, placing it on the ground by his feet. After a little lull, Derek knocked his knee against hers and asked, “Do you bring all your boyfriends here?”

Leia laughed, rubbing her hands rapidly over her thighs. “What boyfriends?” She raised an eyebrow, catching Derek’s side glance. “Honestly, I can’t remember the last time I’ve come here.” Slowly, she let out a loud exhale. “Or even why I wanted to bring you here.”

Derek brought his body closer to hers, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. Leia leaned into the warmth cascading off his body. Derek whispered into her ear, “I’m glad you did. I consider it a privilege.” His words tickled her neck, sending goosebumps down her spine. He kissed her temple. “Thank you.”

A lump formed in her throat. Leia wondered why his words pierced her so deeply. She liked having someone who cared about her, wanting to be with her. Yes, she had family, tons of them, but she didn’t have this, a person next to her with whom she could share her life. For so long, Leia figured her time had passed, but then Derek came waltzing in, making her remember what it was like to have someone who was just yours.

A lump formed in her throat. Leia croaked, “My pleasure.” Then she tilted her head, making it fit perfectly in the crook of his neck.

They sat in the stillness of the evening, watching as the sun dipped lower and lower. With each passing minute, Leia wondered how much time she had left to live in this fantasy world. A world with Derek, where the future didn’t exist, and today was all that mattered. Finally, the last stray stretch of gold submerged below the water, replacing the sky with a dark blue. A smattering of stars slowly appeared against the rising of the moon.

Much too soon, Leia forced herself to untangle from Derek’s arm. Once free, Leia stumbled to her feet. “We’d better go.” After she dusted off her backside, Leia held out a hand to Derek. He took it. “It’ll be pitch black on the path back in a few minutes. I worry about one of us tripping.”

Derek reached down, nabbing the backpack. In a swift movement, Derek unzipped the top and held it open for her. Leia dug out the two flashlights. He zipped it closed, swinging it onto his back. She handed him one of the two flashlights, clicking hers on. Derek did the same.

As they started down the path, Leia said, “Let’s take it slow.” She kept her flashlight pointed down, illuminating the next few steps on the path. “I don’t want to slip and get injured. I’m not as young as I used to be.”

With a laugh, Derek said, “Then I must be ancient, because I’m older than you.”

Whacking him on his arm, Leia said, “You know what I meant.”

Though it was dark, Leia caught the mischievousness in his glance. “I know.” He smirked. “You’re way too fun to tease.”

Rolling her eyes, Leia said, “Okay, Derek.” Leia reverted her gaze to the path in front of them.

They walked, taking care with each step not to rush. It was quicker back to her apartment than the way up. Eventually, Kama Farm came into view. Manure tickled her nostrils as they walked by the rows of fruit. When they passed by her parents’ house, Derek wrapped an arm around her waist, giving it a squeeze. “This has been an incredible evening. I’m so glad I shared it with you.”

With him near, Leia picked up his distinct manly scent, making her skittish. “I’m glad we had today too. We might not have many more times together.” Her voice faded off, and she darted her gaze away from him and toward her apartment.

“I know,” Derek’s voice cracked. “I don’t know how to remedy that.”

Leia didn’t have an answer either, so she remained silent. Her fall fling was ending, and she hated where that would leave her, alone.

They arrived in front of her apartment. Derek dropped his arm from her waist, taking a step back. “Five, right? Bright and early?” asked Derek.

It took Leia a second to process what he was asking. “Are you talking about running with me?” asked Leia.

Nodding, Derek wrung his hands. “We might only have tomorrow to run together. I’d like to join you one last time if you don’t mind.”

Gnawing on the inside of her cheek, Leia tried to sound casual. “Sure. I’m running twelve miles. So …”

“So, I’ll join you for the first five,” said Derek.

Then they stared back at one another. Leia wanted him to pull her tight against his body, in an embrace and reassure her this week wouldn’t be it. But Derek already felt distant, like though he was here physically, he was already gone. Part of her wanted to say, forget it, don’t bother, tonight can be our last night together. But Leia still longed for more time.

So, Leia took a step toward Derek. Once close enough, she interlaced her fingers through his, giving them a squeeze. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” Her eyes caught his. “And if we only have tomorrow, then you’d better make it good.”

Derek tugged her body closer, wrapping his arms tightly around her waist. Tipping her chin up, Leia rose to her tiptoes and kissed him on his cheek.

His fingers found her hair and slid through the long silky strands, continuing down her back. He held his hand firmly there. “I think we can do a little better than that,” commented Derek.

Slowly, he leaned in, cupping his other hand behind her head. Gently, his lips slid across hers. And the thoughts of tomorrow whisked away with the ocean breeze.