Totem by E.M. Lathrop Page B

ponytail in different directions. Whatever little cool air that breezes by on this hot September day catches on my skin and dries the sweat. In that moment, with Ty sitting next to me, I never felt more alive. Every part of my body pulsates with nervous energy. I adjust my posture and look over at Ty. The sun glistens off his russet skin. He is beyond beautiful.
                  He turns left past the Greek Church and speeds off. To the left of us is a canal. To the right of us, golf courses. All around are the towering oak trees that I instantly fell in love with when I moved here. The sun is shining and the birds are gliding through a blue sky. It is a perfect hot New Orleans day. We stop at the light in front of New Orleans Museum of Art and I watch the people get on and off the street car.
                  “I have yet to ride one of those,” I say to Ty as I point to the street car.
                  “We will have to change that someday,” replies Ty.
                  I blush. Future plans with Ty held promise that he might return my feelings. I look behind us at the open back and lift my hands up to touch the roof.
                  “I have never been in one of these before.”
                  “Well, I am glad I can be your first.”
                  Ty’s comment sends a whole new wave of rouge over my face and I opt not to talk anymore. He chuckles and shifts the gears of the truck into drive as the light changes. Down the bumpy streets of Carrolton we go quickly passing the street car which had a head start on us. The great oaks that seemed stuck on the sides earlier now stretch their branches across providing a canvas of green leaves. Rays of sun break through them every few steps speckling the road and everything else it touches including mine and Ty’s skin. I stick my hand out the window and watch the speckles race across as I try to catch the wind in my hand. The breeze gently escapes through my fingers. I let out a sigh. Here, lost in this moment, in this crazy beautiful city with a guy I like is where I want to be.
                  We drive to almost the end of Carrolton Street. I see a green mound in front of us which I can only assume is a levy of some sort. In New Orleans, you are surrounded by levies. A quick turn to the right sends me scooting across the seat towards Ty. I am stopped from completely going over there by my seatbelt. I let out a little laugh in the surprise excitement as I readjust myself. My adjustments are premature as Ty takes another quick right turn into the parking lot and then immediately whips left into a spot. I smile. I love driving like that.
                  “So where are you taking me?”
                  “To O’Henry’s. It’s casual and we can sit outside in plastic chairs where our sweat will not be a problem.” He winks at me as he hops out of the car.
                  I wait a few seconds to see what he will do. Just as I hoped, he walks around and opens my door for me.
                  “Wait one second,” he says as I begin to get out.
                  He places one hand on my knee to stop me from exiting then uses his other hand to roll up my window. My heart begins to race. Once again, as if he knows my heart has picked up speed, Ty smiles. As soon as he is done, he opens the door wider holding out his hand to help me out.
     
                  O’Henry’s is a perfect place to eat when you’re a hot mess because they have their own hot mess. Each table has a basket of peanuts and customers carelessly throw peanut shells on their table and floor. Even the customers attempting to keep it clean were thwarted when a gust of wind swept through sending peanut shells flying everywhere.  Little birds watch diligently from the trees swooping in with the wind to catch peanuts not yet eaten. Oak trees wisp