Scent of the Moment

I am participating in The Trifecta writing challenge. The idea is to respond with no less than 33 and no more than 333 words. We must use a one-word prompt, and this week’s word is: Crack: 3a : a narrow break : fissure.

My work count is exactly 333 words:

She looked out at the lovely sunset, and thought about the events that occurred yesterday, at the same point in time. She had been listening to a song from the forties, remembering her father on his birthday, through music. The song was reminiscent of watching her parents dancing the fox trot on the boardwalk at Coney Island, and at Jones Beach.

She had curled up in her favorite chair, put a cup of tea on the table next to it, and nibbled on a cinnamon scone. The moment she put the scone down, the scent enveloped the space around her. It was not the aroma of cinnamon, but something much stronger. It was distinct, familiar to her from years past. Along with the odor was a swoosh, the sort of sound and slight movement of air that occurs when someone is dancing or walking close to the space around you.

The gentle touch on her shoulder startled her, and it gave her goose bumps. She couldn’t believe it, and had to look around to make sure nobody else was in the room, although she knew she was the only person present. It was an instinctual move.

She stepped outside in order to make sure there wasn’t a small fire somewhere, and to make sure nothing was wrong with the air conditioner and/or venting system. She wanted to cover all bases. She stepped inside and checked the stove, all of the electric outlets, and checked the water heater. All was in fine order. There was only one explanation, one that made her feel both anxious and feel happy at the same time.

She didn’t smoke, but her father had smoked ever since she could remember. She knew, without doubting, that the scent was that of a cigarette. She remembered those “Camel” cigarettes and how they smelled. The smell was pungent, unmistakable, seeping through an opening, a fissure in the time continuum. She knew her father had visited her, letting her know all was well.

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