Simple Pleasures

by Cari Melby

I hold Nathan by bent elbows as he burrows into my lap like a rabbit into his den. I feel the roundness of his bottom shifting and shimmying into the space I’ve created for him with my crossed legs. Nathan leans his back into my waiting torso and melts into me. His head fits just under my chin.

I move my chin back and forth over his hair and am caressed by its downy softness.

Nathan inserts his thumb into his mouth and his hand runs over my pant leg like an ant in search of food. He finds his morsel, a wrinkle in my pants. He rubs the wrinkle through his fingertips over and over again. His motion creates a rhythmic sensation on my thigh. If he’ll let me, I fold my arms around him and press this ball of energy, now still, closer to me.

The smooth skin on his arms rubs against the underside of my arms, where my skin is still soft like his. Snuggled against me so close, I bend my neck and kiss his cheek. My lips touch the plumpness of his toddler face and linger there savoring the pleasures of motherhood.