103 degrees. 1 a.m. No power. No AC. No fans. Just heat, endless heat. I knew why the power flickered and went off; everyone in the city had turned on the air, and the power stations couldn't handle it. It had happened once before, and I remember laying awake all night in a desperate attempt to sleep. Even reading or writing by candle light were to much to do that night.
This time, Anna I spread the comforter out on the floor, to minimize body heat exchange, and hopefully grab that little cooler air closer to the floor. 100 degrees instead of 103. Before bed I decided to sleep nude, but Anna in her modesty still put on her summer pajamas. When she returned from the bathroom, I heard an exasperated sigh, and saw her pull off those pajamas, settle down next to me, nude, for the first time. As much sex as we had, she always put something on before going to sleep. She tried explaining it to me once, but it didn't make much sense. It was just one of those "things" we all have.
Even speaking at that point was too much, so I didn't try to make conversation to pass the time. The idea of sex even seemed ridiculous. I tossed and turned, finally resting on my side facing her, and the light from the street lamp, allowed me to se parts of her. Her skin was covered in sweat, just as mine, but it glistened, sparkled somewhat. I watched her chest and stomach raise and lower with each breath, seeing small droplets fall from the apex of her breast to her stomach and over her side. I was mesmerized. I reached out to her, touching my finger to her arm, which was folded over her eyes, and I took a drop of sweat and brought it too my lips. In the heat and in exhaustion, I might have been a little delirious, but that droplet was like nectar, like ambrosia that the gods denied humans in their infinite wisdom. There was little taste to start, but the saltiness crept in, and I felt, I knew I needed more.
