Since when did April become such a coy, little tease? All weekend, she tantalized us with springtime temperatures and sunshine, the minx. Saturday morning, her soft, breezy fingers caressed our cheeks and lured us to Ledges State Park. We tramped along the trails, while the buds swelled on the trees. The Des Moines River, blue and tempting, glimmered through the naked tree limbs.
On Sunday, the trip to the Easter brunch was chilly, but when the worship service ended we carried our coats into the sunshine. Anne and I heeded April’s siren call and took a walk before our company arrived for dinner. All day, the sun smiled and winked. The lawn tossed her green hair this way and that until we were sure spring was here to stay.
By bedtime, April had me right where she wanted me. All night I dreamt of warm days, leafy green trees along our gravel road, grilled meat and vegetables, and supper on the sun porch. Then, when I walked this morning, April pulled the rug out from under me – or more accurately, she piled it on top of me. It started to snow. She raked my cheeks with her icy nails and laughed with delight. “Sucker,” she whispered on the wind as she danced away. “Fooled you again.”
I’m older, wiser, and colder than before our weekend fling. From now on, I’m weather pessimist – suspicious, distrustful and crabby – as long as April hangs around. She broke my heart once, but if she thinks she’ll do it again, she’s wrong.
Stay away from me, April. Find some other gullible wretch to tease, you little tramp. But leave me alone, wrapped in my misery and my winter coat, until spring is here to stay.
