Redwood

L.R 🐰, Redwood🍁

I saw the redwood tree again, Tuesday, first in line at the cafeteria. He towered over all the other shrubs and foliage, scanning the food selection for anything remotely edible. He wasn't actually a tree, it was an inside thing between me and... well, myself. His hair was that delicate world between warm summer sunsets and the firey red firefighters let consume them when they can't seem to sleep. That's why they're called redheads, I deduced, and that is why he's Redwood. A bulk of muscle sporting shortly buzzed hair, leaving anyone who dared to lock eyes with him, trembling in his wake.

I can't say exactly when it started, all I know is that it never stopped. I watched the tree fellers come for him. Hacking, and sawing away at his "ego" they said, attempting to bring him down to their level, down to the birch trees and decade old mahoganies. Further to the bushlets and long grass, teeming with filth and grime. Filth every parent turns their young from. I watched as there was no trembling of leaves, no scarring on his bark. Though, I believe I saw him shoot up further into the heavens. The birds were active this time of year. Ruby red lips and chunky acrylic nails. They flew from perch to post, some finding time to roost and planning the debut of their new title: "Prom King & Queen".

There were occasions were I too, wished to fly. Feel the gentle wind carry the weight of my wings. To dance a tango known only by us. I was not one of the birds. I was Kelly. Kelly "Are You Even Listening" Addams. I had $5 press ons which protruded from my chubby fingers. My hair was no special shade of chesnut or hazelnut, just a simple brown of tight waves and loose curls. Your eyes, everyone told me. You have such beautiful eyes.

For these few moments I was a bird. Floating on hues of silver lined with blue. Tears from the Heavens, my Nonna called them, little blue drops making a purification circle round my ice-blue irises.

The cold bit into my skin. My mom texted she might be late to pick me up. Something about my aunt being in town. My eyes traced the lines in the sidewalk. I blinked and listened to the distant hum of the generator. All while pretending. Pretending I hadn't noticed Redwood. "Chilly, isn't it?" he began. "Unbearably," I continued for him. "I wish I were a hare in a burrow. Seems really warm." I brought my clasped hands to my face as he breathed out a solitary 'Yeah'. My lips were cracked a dull shade of periwinkle. The sweat from tennis practice turned my sometimes-curls into a hairball of frizz and my face was seconds away from being embalmed, leaving my eyes as the only thing remotely pretty of me. I was a chicken. A bird who couldn't fly.

His mouth started moving, and so did mine. Till he'd asked me all the "getting to know you" questions. He pointed to his sports jersey and spoke his name, "I'm Aaron. Aaron Dyles". I blinked and followed suit. Kelly- "Addams." though to my surprise he finished for me. I stared into his eyes. They were pools of green with sprinkles of teal and aquamarine near the edges. Like God flicked it there Himself, tweaking a magnificent art piece in a way that only He could. And I felt my heart pound. All the way into my head.

I nodded slow, as he said something about homework and I found myself exchanging phones with him. "What should I save you as?" he asked. Anything you'd like, I wanted to tell him. Whatever's fine, I wanted to squeak. His eyes flashed with something new. "Little Rabbit." he does not break eye contact. "I hope your burrow isn't far from here." His eyes sparkle — ACTUALLY sparkle. And he shows me his phone. A new contact, L.R with a bunny emoji. "Redwood." I tell him as I type it, complete with a maple leaf at the end. A thousand hours find there way to the space in between us. Then there's a horn, and I find my body dragging itself to my mom's car.
Who'd been idling for 5 minutes now. A knowing glance is thrown my way,

"Who was that?"

"A redwood tree."