A Flower Glows On Mars

The stars are beginning to twinkle against the opulent blackness of nightfall. As we drive, the lights of a boardwalk carnival blaze off to the right.

Step One.

“Hey, Sol! Look over there. Pull over, will you? I want to go to the carnival.”

Soleil arches an eyebrow at me. “I had some other, uh, entertainment in mind for this evening.”

“Oh, trust me, we will get there. C’mon, Sol. This is my last night on Earth, remember?” I pull my best puppy dog eyes and glance up at her through my lashes. “Please?”

“Ugh, okay, fine. You win this time.” She takes the boardwalk exit, and the colorful lights grow more vivid as we approach. “I didn’t wear the shoes for this, you know. One hour. Then you’re all mine to take home and have my way.”

I can’t suppress my grin.

“Deal.”

We pull into the parking lot and I practically push Soleil through the gates, handing the ticket taker a wad of cash. He slips a ride bracelet onto each of our wrists as I drag Sol through the carnival grounds.

“C’mon, c’mon, c’mon!” I usher her. “I wanna ride something fast.”

“Oh, I’ll give you-“ she starts.

“Less talking, more danger.” I steer her toward a ride that spins and presses you to the wall like a fly caught in a spiderweb.

We ride a handful of rides, laughing like children, until our cheeks hurt. Sol looks down at her watch.

“Okay, fifteen more minutes. What do you want to do?”

I point to a bright sign advertising a photo booth.

Step Two.

“That! We can add it to the wall.”

We run over to the photo booth, where there is a short line. Several couples are waiting for pictures; some are groups of friends. Thankfully, the line moves quickly. Finally, it’s our turn. I slip a couple of tokens into the slot, and we duck through the curtain into the photo booth.

“So, what’s the play?” Sol asks. “Silly, serious, model pose, kiss?”

“Sure,” I smile. I discreetly slip my hand into my pocket.

The countdown begins for photo one.

3

2

1

Sol and I adopt silly faces. Sol makes a duck face while crossing her eyes, and I pretend to pick my nose. The flash goes off and we burst into giggles. The countdown begins for picture two.

3

2

I pull the ring box out of my pocket and pop it open.

“Soleil, will you marry me?”

1

She turns around in shock, her eyes settling on the ring encased in the palm of my hand, glittering in its burgundy velvet box. The bright princess cut diamond and adjacent halo of rubies catch the light of the flash, and I see happy tears fill Soleil’s eyes.

She throws her arms around me and kisses me with all the love and affection she can pour into a kiss. The heat of it is nearly enough to set me aflame. In the background, I’m vaguely aware of the countdown for the next photo, but I’m too lost in the feel of Soleil’s skin on mine, and her tongue sliding into my mouth.

She pulls away for a moment, breathless.

“Is…. uh… Is that a yes?” I ask.

“Yes! Oh my god, yes!”  She kisses me again as the next flash goes off.

“We need to get out of here,” she murmurs earnestly against my lips.

“Mmhmm, yep. Absolutely.”

Collecting our pictures from the printout section, two copies – one for each of us, and smile at Soleil’s immortalized reaction to my proposal. Her wide eyes, arched brows, and the slight shimmer of tears somehow making her even more beautiful.

“That goes on the wall,” I state, gently handing her a copy. I tuck mine into my pocket. “This one goes to Mars with me.”

Soleil and I race through the parking lot, our hair streaming behind us in the night, carnival lights dancing across our skin as if we were made from the stars above.