It's July & the smell of summer rain lingers close behind.

I braid my hair and let it fall to my back letting the sun take a moment to rest,

but my mother doesn't like when I burn.

I rolled up my jeans to play in the water that the clouds had left, but i didn't have the right shoes and you shouldn't jump in puddles so i've been taught.

The child in me has always wanted to play, I think she has always secretly known how to play. I can recall my imaginary friend in the first grade. 

The child in me knew what'd happen if I played. So she kept her hair pinned up and never forgot a ‘please’ or ‘thank you’.

But that July was years ago.

This July- the smell of summer rain still lingers.

I go to braid my hair once again behind my back, but a familiar pair of hands is already intertwining the strands. 

I turn around and his jeans are rolled up and he’s wearing a pair of red rubber boots.

These beautiful brown eyes are staring me up and down with a smirk on his face, hes impatiently waiting for something, I didn't know what for until I realized he wanted me to come play.

And suddenly, I remembered how to be a kid and I jumped in my first puddle.