There Is Only Now

By Karen Zheng

Your eyes crinkle at the corners.

Causing my own lips to arch into a grin.

How infectious!

Joyfulness personified.

Warm curiosity envelops your voice as you speak.

My heart flutters.

Or maybe it flaps.

No, it definitely flutters.

A floral musk has made its way around the room.

Like a delicate cloud of baby powder.

Intermixed with iris.

It must be my perfume.

I wonder if you can smell it too.

My hands go to tuck my hair behind my ears.

Oh no,

I’m nervous.

But then you ask me another question.

And there is a softness in your voice.

A tender consideration.

My nose crinkles as another smile overtakes my face.

Nothing has changed.

And yet, something does …