it begins with a warm morning. a gentle breeze off the water swirling my hair playfully in it's soft bursts. the sun glimmering on the river's ripples, transforming them into sapphire blue treasures. i try to take a picture in my mind, to remember the smell of spring just budding. to remember the wind on my skin, and the sun hot against my dark hair.

i run barefoot from the river up the steep trail, dirt flying behind me as i race toward the strawberry shortcake that is surely waiting on the table. the sweet reward stains my tongue red, the color blending with the pink of my tanktop. my feet are brown and dirty beneath the table.

night begins to fall and as the sun sets over the water i watch the fire dancing in its reflection, red, orange, and finally purple. inside, the tank top, now sticky with strawberry juice and popsicles, is cast into the laundry as i hurry up the stairs, hopping into the bathtub. water runs cool across my newly browned skin, the dirt of the day's play swirling in a chocolate stream down the drain. with it go the memories of the day, the first glimpse of summer. i sigh, content. this is how it always begins.