The Picnic
(July 1979)
Cassie was making little bread and butter sandwiches. Just like the ones that she saw in one of those magazines. She was making tiny sandwiches with little bits of cucumber and onion and tomatoes. It was a beautiful sunny day and she had finally convinced Ennis to go on a picnic. He was supposed to come pick her up soon. She got dressed in her shorts and sneakers. She was going to wear the sandals with the high wedge heels but she decided that the sneakers were better.
There was a knock on her door, Cassie opened it and it was Ennis, even earlier than he was supposed to come.
“Hey Cassie, see I’m all ready for your picnic, look at what I got.”
And from behind his back he now showed her a bottle of wine, the one she liked.
She smiled and kissed him on the cheek.
They went out to the truck. They drove to the hill, the large hill just at the foot of the mountains. They passed a pair of young men running, in shorts but with no shirts, who ran as if they were getting ready for a marathon. Cassie turned back to look at them, and stared at their bodies illuminated by the sweat glistening in the sun.
Ennis turned as they passed but he didn’t say a word, he barely said a word the whole ride up.
They got to the hill and out of the truck. Cassie began to set up the picnic. Ennis walked over to the stream a little farther away. He stood there for a little while, than turned and came back.
“Here, Cassie” he said and in his hand were some purple and pink wildflowers that she didn’t see him pick.
She smiled, and took them from his hand. He stood there grinning like a little kid.
She stood up and went over next to him, he put his arms around her. She put her lips on his.
Even when they were kissing, Cassie kept smiling to herself, maybe this picnic really will turn out to be just like she hoped it would be.
(See, I kept my promise too)