Scented Candles

. 1

What do you do when the people who are supposed to be there, aren't? Or when those who are there for you shouldn't be? Light a scented candle. With the salt on your face and the cool breeze, an ocean breeze scented candle is the perfect finishing touch. Within seconds, you can be on an island, alone. Even though the reason for the seeking of solitude is loneliness, it doesn't seem as bad when the solitude is self imposed rather than forced. 2

She didn't think a scented candle would help her this time though. There were too many thoughts flashing quickly through her mind, she couldn't calm herself enough to take a deep breath and bask in the rich scent of french vanilla. Her room was saturated with it. The glorious scent of the day teased the senses upon opening her bedroom door, making her think of coffee shops, french vanilla cappuccinos and giggles. She almost smiled. Almost. 3

But the french vanilla was only leading her thoughts down other paths, path she didn't dare walk down, so she extinguished the candles, replacing the delicate cream colored candles with a deep, forest green. One lighted match transformed her room into a forest, the sporadic squeaks of her fan becoming the musical call of a shy bird who would never be seen. Yes, she thought, stretching out on her floor, the pine scent was perfect. 4

Slowing her breathing, she almost felt as if she was on a bed of fragrant pine needles rather than stained carpet older than herself. Closing her eyes, she attributed the light of the room to a soft sun light, and if she concentrated, she could almost see the branches crossing over her head. 5

Sighing with frustration, she pinched out the flames on the candles. Pine trees brought back many fond memories of climbing and playing within their sticky, sap covered branches, but also more unpleasant memories she did not care to dwell on. 6

She reached for her candles, taking in the simple titles: warm apple pie, to make her salivate and long for days of baking with those no longer walking on this Earth; vanilla and pine she had used, and discarded; mulled cider. Mulled cider? Where had this come from? 7

Tentatively, she sniffed the holes in the package, and nodded. It was not like anything she had experienced before. Therefore, she deemed it perfect for tonight, and lit the candle, pulling her pillow and blanket to the floor with her. 8

She twisted her body in the covering until only her arms and face were exposed to the mulled cider aroma. Her eyelashes rested gently against her skin as she was finally able to contain her thoughts and keep them away while she lost herself in memories she did not have. She delighted in creating her own situations when confronted with new scents; right now she was imagining primly sipping cider in days gone by at a holiday party. She pictured herself as deliriously happy, although only a slight twitch to her lips and a faint blush gave away her feelings to the people with which she was dining. 9

Here she stayed, unmoving, as the candles burned on and on. She could see every detail of her fictitious party, hear the laughter and smell the delicate perfumes mingled with masculine aftershaves. A beautiful way to spend her night. 10

The candles eventually burned out, and the scent was whisked away by the fan and out of the window. She opened her eyes, bidding farewell to the party goers. Relaxed now, she moved from her room to her living room, where a knock on the door brought her the news. It was time for her medication, the staff said, gently escorting the still smiling elderly woman from her room. 11

They worried, with her talk of scented candles and scenic trips, as they were deemed a fire hazard in this nursing home. But thorough checks always revealed nothing more scented than the poor woman's toothpaste. Her trips were confined to her imagination, all that she had now, as she lived abandoned by her family in a world she refused to face. Some of the other residents were slightly envious of the woman, for although their children too had forgotten their existence, they lived in misery. She lived in worlds of beauty, love, creating her own lives that were more pleasant than the one she had. One couldn't help but smile, when they saw her pass, for her rapture infected them all. 12