Warm Concrete

Summer Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Shine!”

Pure bliss captured by summer’s kiss.

I took this photo on a terrible day.

I couldn’t stop crying and couldn’t motivate myself to do anything but lay in bed. As I was on my sixth straight episode of Desperate Housewives, I caught a glimpse of the sun peaking behind the dark curtains of my room.

Although a voice in my head tried to resist it, I turned the TV off and went outside.

As I felt the warmth of the concrete on my bare feet, a chilling sensation broke out throughout my entire body. A calm, welcoming embrace that brought goosebumps to my arms.

I stripped down to my bra and underwear and walked to the far part of my driveway that was hidden from view and laid flat on my back, throwing my hair behind me. I put on one of my favorite songs and closed my eyes as it filled my ears and drowned out the noises around me.

The sun’s rays beamed above me. The heaviness in my chest melted into the concrete below and I instantly felt lighter. Brighter. The dull, lifeless body laying in bed just moments ago started to rhythmically bounce and wiggle around.

When I happened to open my eyes, I noticed the camera was open and I saw the image above: my hair shining with the shadow of my arm holding up the phone and my other arm I’d been happily waving around.

I took the picture right then.

I wanted to remember how terrible I’d felt. And to remember the blissful touch of warm concrete on a hot summer day.