One day, a random stranger approached me and said, “Smell my arm.”
Looking back now, I realize that most people likely would have declined or at least questioned such a strange request. It’s definitely an unusual thing to say to someone you don’t know.
But I didn’t hesitate at all. Before I knew it, I was sniffing the sleeve of this person’s sweater, and when I looked up, he was laughing.
“Smells good, right?”
It really did! It had a unique scent that combined hints of faded cologne, laundry detergent, and fresh air. While it may sound like something from a Hallmark movie, it truly captured the essence of coziness.
—
In the years that followed —(a bit of a story leap, but sleeve-guy and I now shared laundry detergent and furniture)— he would often bring up our unusual introduction as a way to make me smile.
Whenever I was having a tough day, he’d offer me his arm to sniff. On the rare occasions when I was particularly grumpy, his sleeve would unexpectedly appear, lifting my spirits. My favorite moments were when he embraced me in a big “smell-hug.”
We were two quirky people united by our love for sniffing sleeves.
And it was cozy.
—
Now, all that remains of him are bags filled with his sweaters —(another quick diversion, but I find it hard to think about that part)— sealed tightly so I can hang onto that scent.
Every so often, I give in to temptation. I miss him deeply in a way that words cannot fully express, and that familiar smell floods my mind with memories all at once.
It’s as though he just took off the sweater that day — as if he were still here with me.
However, every time I open one of those sealed bags, a little more of the scent escapes. Eventually, that smell will fade away entirely.
And soon, there will be no more sleeves left to sniff.
No more coziness.
-May 24, 2023
