a moment aside

Suddenly the air is full of a sweet and whimsical floral smell and I become aware of the sound I've been hearing for ten minutes but haven't registered; the tearing of paper. I imagine the person behind me, a magazine open in her (?) lap, finding a scent she likes. She tugs at the ad and the fold of glossy paper rips through at the soaked tab. Perfume explodes into the air like a memory cloud of summer, grows more sweeter and intense, dissipates. My spirits lift for just a moment before the spell breaks and I remember where I am.