The Smell of Green Grass

The smell of green grass during spring flowed through his nostrils, bringing a flood of memories from another time, another place. The blades caressing Tim’s face were soothing, almost hypnotic as buried visions sprang forth from the shadows of his mind.

Tim was a 32 year old family man. He had been married for 5 years to the love of his life, Laura, or Lulu as he liked to call her. They had a 3 year old daughter, Paula who seemed to be morphing into another little Lulu with each passing day. Tim worked at the local Wal-Mart as an Assistant Manager, and was taking night classes to complete his Bachelor’s.

Today, the green grass promised to wipe away his anxieties and daily worries, he just laid there.

The Smell of Green Grass

What does the smell of green grass mean to you?

“Is that an ant?”

It looked so big and full of life as it haphazardly walked past his face carrying a morsel of food in its mouth. He was unable to remember the last time he had noticed ants.

“The birds, they sound so beautiful,” Tim thought as chirping rang out from nearby trees.

As the singing birds flowed into the background, the memories of a child took center stage. Recalling how he used to love to play outside with his old companion, Diesel. Diesel was his first and only pet dog. A mutt, really, but for 7 years he was his best friend.

He missed how they used to run around, rolling on green grass. The incessant licks thrown towards his face would lead to laughter. Tim’s memories of times like this had been buried for so long he was surprised that they even existed.

“Am I dreaming? Or did that really happen?” His mind was speaking to his heart now.

Then a spider, just a daddy long legs really, walked into his vision. The green grass was clearing the cob webs from his memories. Lulu appeared, along with her absolute fear of anything with eight legs. He had been called to her rescue many times to ensure a swift death to any spider that crossed her path. The sound of a toilet flushing would normally be the death call for the invaders. Today though, he was at peace with the little creature. Watching it as it crossed the green grass and out of his sight.

Tim lay there with the wondrous smell and sight of the green grass as a slight breeze brought with it the rise of goose bumps on his skin. He remembered how he had goose bumps while his wife gave birth to Paula. They were so big, as if they were draining his brain from its life giving blood. Tim had almost fainted back then. That feeling was since lost, but at that moment it was back. Tim lay there staring at the green grass, reliving the wonderful birth of his daughter.

“I love them so much.” He thought.

Tim’s body was so relaxed lying in the green grass; he had to fight to stay awake. It required effort to keep from losing consciousness, but he wanted to take in all the memories he could.

One side of Tim’s face was tickled by the blades of green grass while the other side could feel the soft touch of rain drops. The wetness streamed down his face and onto his lips. The taste was refreshing as he swished his tongue around the inside of his cheeks.

In a flash, a memorable vision burst forth in color. It was a picnic he and Lulu had been on almost 6 years earlier. He didn’t notice the smell of green grass back then, or the ants, or the spiders, or anything from his past. This was the day Tim was only focused on the future, the day he proposed with a $50.00 ring. She said she would be his lady until the end of time, and it began to rain. They sat in the rain together, kissing that day until a rainbow appeared.

The smell of the green grass had been a blessing for Tim. It reminded him of what life was all about. It wasn’t the job he had, what car he drove, or how much money he had or didn’t have. The green grass reminded him that life was about relationships, nature, loving and being loved.

Tim lay in the green grass with eyes shut and a smile across his face. The green grass saved Tim, as he succumbed to unconsciousness.

Minutes later, Lulu and little Paula ran to his side. Sirens and people approached the scene. The Emergency Response personnel hovered over Tim’s motionless body, clearing the blood from his mouth as the police interviewed a grief stricken Laura.

Earlier that day, the three had been out walking in a semi-remote field. They were out to collect flowers for the house, take pictures of the area, and just enjoy being together.

Tears streamed down Laura’s face as she recounted how two men had approached, one had a handgun. They robbed the couple, and instructed Tim to bind his daughter, and then let Laura bind him. They were going to rape Laura and murder the trio afterwards. At least that is what Tim had overheard and relayed to his wife.

Tim knew what the cost of saving his family would be, but nothing was more important. Tim passed a happy man.

This is a fictional short-short story.

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