Heatwave

It is a thick, tangible thing that coats everything it touches in a fine grained veil of dust, city grime and soot. Combined with the sweat, close, folded places feel stuck together and pasty, and I never feel as if I can take off enough clothes.

The second shower of the day brings little relief. Cool water sluices over warm places, fingers pull long, thick hair up into a knot halfway up the back of my head. I test the water with an ever darkening forearm, out of sync with the other one because it is the one that rests on the driver's side window as I stop and go, stop and go through traffic.

Standing under the stream with eyes closed, thoughts stray to lovers close and far, past and present. I'd entertain myself, but it's too hot for that. The only thing I want moving over my body is cool water.

Hands reach for a stocky block of olive oil soap. My skin will need the extra moisturizer because the very idea of slathering lotion over freshly showered skin when it is this warm is sacrilege. I only need five minutes more. I turn my back to the spray, letting the tepid water cool the back of my neck. Perhaps it'll cool my temper as well.

Lather and slip, foam and swish. I reach for the hand held sprayer and aim strategically at nipples, at knees, at temples and feet. The heat dissipates, but not without leaving its stale memory behind. I reach for nozzles and stem the flow and listen as water gurgles down the drain. I stand there in pink-filtered shower curtain light and listen to my skin breathe a sigh of relief. The shower curtain opens with a ring, and I step out feeling physically refreshed but I can't help think of the futility of this moment. The forecast calls for even greater heat tomorrow, a three-shower day at least.

I reach for a pink fluffy bath wrap, a garment more frivolous than I could ever imagine myself to be and face myself in the mirror. Broad, sloping shoulders look back, tan lines leave battle scars across my skin, and my face is weary and weather worn. It's far too early in the season for this type of heat, and after only two days in I wish it would leave me and carry it's heft and dampness with it.