"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 thismorning, 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, itcarried with it a familiar aroma, which it playfully tossed between its goldenrays until the fragrance settled deep into my nostrils. I recognized itimmediately. It was a mix of “spearmint and musk oil”; something I hadn’tsmelled in a long time. It tugged at my heartstrings, and dug up some reallyold feelings I had hidden away some time ago. It was the essence of “him”… theessence of us… the essence of the past… with haunting echoes of the 1970’s andthat New York edge... the haunting memories of what we once were when youth andinnocence were all we knew.

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

                 Icontinued to take in deep breaths of “spearmint and musk oil” which permeatedmy bedroom like a humongous cloud overhead. I became intoxicated and did notwant to let go of this moment. However, it let go of me.  The “spearmint and musk oil” dissipated asquickly as it came, and left behind the memories of a past love. With a faintsmile upon my lips and a few teardrops from my eyes, I had to say goodbyeagain. As elusive as “spearmint and musk oil” had become over the years, Ilearned today that I will always miss him.