untitled

a story of love

“Did you ever get around to finishing that thing you were doing?”

“Nah.”

“So, are you working on something else or what?’

“Maybe. I don’t know yet.”

“I really liked where you were going with the last one. What made you put it on the shelf?”

“I got into it but it got so boring. Want a beer?”

“I guess. Did Bill get ahold of you?”

“He sent a text. Chips?”

“Sure. Any dip?”

“Got ranch.”

“No salsa?”

“Hold on, sometimes Leigh hides s**t from me and unfortunately, I am not seeing any. I do have green olives stuffed with almond, if you so desire?”

“Sounds weird enough that I’ll give one a try.”

“And one you shall receive. Consider yourself lucky.”

“Alright. Let’s see what the fuss is all about.”

“It’s good, right?”

“Might be better after swimming around in a martini glass.”

“You would say that.”

“So, where is your roomy at anyway?”

“Man., She does so much. It’s crazy. I hardly ever see her.”

“So, we have the place to ourselves?”

“For a little bit. Why, what’s up.”

She kissed me then and I lost all track of time.

 

 

 

 

 

Lately, I have been having a recurring dream. It starts the same way, me walking through darkness until a single bulb highlights a door.  I open it and step through and once on the other side, an odd feeling comes, like I have been to this area once before. Whether I be brave or not, I continue walking along this trail, that uneasy feeling building as I know I will soon join others and all of us will be looking downward to the ground below.

At some point, men I have never met, will appear. In single file, each will face me, eyes searching mine while mouthing unheard words. Confused as to what it all means, the last cloaked figure approaches and it is a woman. Her voice is also muffled but it is the life in her eyes that makes me feel special. Like I have purpose. But then, as it has all the times before, the dream fades, lingering on the back hallows before disappearing altogether and then I come awake.

It was the same thing this morning but I have learned to ignore it. Mostly, it makes no sense.  Up and dressed and, after having a bowl of cereal, I went around and opened the curtains. Apparently, outside light is good for inside plants. Anyway, by the time I managed this small task, Luna did her stretch that told me she had business to take care of. Letting the dog out to the fenced backyard, my reward was hearing the last gasp of the gurgling coffee pot.

With a mug of the morning brew, I sat on the couch and picked up the remote.

Flipping through the channels, the local news had the weatherman looking all dapper in his suit and tie. “No rain in the forecast however, when we expand the graph, it gives us a better picture of what is coming in from the north. We’ll get to that in the next segment. Julie back to you.” The camera panned to the anchor who thanked the weather forecaster and, after saying a line or two, cut away to a commercial.

Luna’s timing was perfect and, after I let her inside, she followed me back to the couch. The dapper looking weatherman was back on the set. “Record lows are expected from this band of cold air set to arrive as early as Sunday morning. Expected snow fall to the valley floor could be as much as six inches and as much as fourteen inches in the higher elevations. My best advice, stock up and stay warm. Julie.”

The camera cuts back to Julie and as she goes on to speak of world turmoil, so I switch off the set.

Left in silence, I sip on my coffee while running my fingers over Luna’s coat. She, in turn, stretches up to all fours before hopping ever so delicately off the couch. Usually this means it was time for our daily walk. Giving in to what had become ritual, I pull off the couch and go to the coat closet for the dog leash and my own outside garment.

Once the front door locked, Luna and I set off to the great outdoors.

The sky was pale blue and even more amazing was the scent of burning leaves that had me thinking of my childhood days when I noticed our neighbor out and about in his yard.

Waving to him, I said, “Hey Potter. How’s your morning going?”  His raking motion stopped, he bringing the slender wood handle parallel, “Any chance your fingers will fit around the other rake I have in the garage?” I felt it and Potter must have seen it in my eyes as he says. “It’s in the barrel on the left-hand side. Careful you don’t scratch the Plymouth.”

What do you do.

 

 

After the rakes were put up, Potter came around with two aluminum folding chairs. Handing me one, he says, “Sally would have made you a sandwich for helping out this morning. But, since she isn’t here, have a chair instead.” Accepting it, I gave the tired face a weak smile, “She doing any better?” Potter did not answer me, instead, went about unfolding the chair to where he could position it at such an angle that it offered a view of the side yard, the area where Luna was romping after a squirrel.

I followed suit, thinking the lawn chair somewhat comfortable as Potter breaks his silence. “She can’t move. Can’t talk. And she’s plugged into every machine imaginable. All I can do is hold her hand and pray she comes home.” He settled back and, even though his eyes told of watching the dog at play, I figured Potter’s mind was a million miles away.

I wished there was something I could do to make the man’s world better. To have him like his was before Sally slipped away into the night on a chariot of flashing lights. Nothing came but that helpless feeling one gets. So, I went in another direction and mentioned to Potter, “How about you coming over for dinner this evening. Nothing fancy so, no need to bother with a tie.”

Potter gave what looked like the beginning of a smile but it never really materialized. Instead, his lips stayed flat, his eyes shifting to the scene of Luna poking around. “I don’t think I would be very good company.”

Being determined, I offer, “It will do you good.”

He hung onto my words, surprising me by saying, “I suppose it won’t hurt me none. When do you want me there?”

“No later than six. And, just so you know, if you don’t show up, Allison will make me come over here and get you.”

“I’ll be there.”

“Alright. Well, I better shove off. So, I’ll see you later?”

“Yup. Thanks again for the help.”

“No problem. Luna! Come on!” She came bounding up and after fastening the leash to the dog, left Potter to his burning leaves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The snap in the air has me thinking of that dapper weatherman, I wondering if his forecast will play out when I notice how thick Luna’s coat has grown. She seems bigger, well-muscled. Guess our walks were doing both of us good as even my habit for cigarettes has steadily declined. And, like a door opening, does the feeling of needing one come through and I do my best to ignore it while recalling a study determining that within a span of seven minutes, this intense craving will subside.

A glance to my wrist watch and I note the time while becoming poised for the battle ahead.  I look to the positives, Allison rising to the top when Luna gives a tug on the leash. Catching me off guard, I falter a step and then fall in sync as I recognize the headlights swerving up into the drive. Through all of this, the feeling goes away but not without leaving a handwritten note threatening that it will be back. With that, I do my best to concentrate elsewhere as Allison climbs out, Luna doing her, “I’m so happy to see you” dance.  Allison sends the dog’s tail to wagging and after giving the dog love, she looks to me and says, “You smell like a campfire but kiss me anyway.” How do you not love her?

As we went along the walkway, I brought up the day spent with Potter and how his lonesomeness brought around the invitation to dinner. “Well” she said, “There’s enough chops and, if I can get you to peel a few potatoes and maybe open a couple of cans of string beans, I think we can fill his belly.”

I felt guilty of adding to her already filled plate, giving in to emotion. “Sorry its such short notice and those spuds don’t stand a chance”. Allison stopped me, her arms encircling my waist as her eyes peer into mine, “You are a good man for asking Potter over.” Pressing her lips lightly against mine, she pulls away, giving me that look that has me thinking I have purpose before turning away to call to the dog busy at dropping its scent all over the front yard.

Luna came bounding up, doing her usual slide through the front door and, as she always has, went on alert for intruders.

Allison stepped through, leaving me the one to shut the door.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We fall into our usual routine, she and Luna focusing on daytime soaps and I doing the long walk to the study.

The room is cluttered, the desk a mess but I ignore it by pushing in the power switch to the stereo. 

The music captures me enough that I bear my soul, my fingers on fire until I realize I have my own misgivings involved. Poking at that lone button, Allison peaks around the corner. “How is it going?”

“So far, I got nothing.”

“Oh. Well, maybe it’s because subconsciously, you know those potatoes need peeling.”

She gives me a once over before turning away, leaving me thinking that maybe she is right.

The smell exuding from the oven has me salivating, making the simple chore less mundane and, after disposing of the peelings, I went one step further and set about quartering each spud. With the last one diced, I put the cut pieces into a colander, giving the potatoes a rinse. From there, Allison took over by dumping the cut potatoes into a pot of water warming on the stove.

As the last one splashed, I ask, “Is there anything else you need me to do?”

Placing the colander into the sink Allison looks to me, “Two things. Kiss me and then go write.”

To have someone in your corner makes a world of difference. It gives you that edge to where you can’t help but be proud. Giving you a strong feeling of purpose. Allison did that and I am rocking it until the sound of the doorbell has me pausing. Instinctively, I note the time while simultaneously hearing Allison yell from the kitchen, “Honey! Will you get that?” Remarking that I am after it, I make my way to the front room and upon opening the door, I am surprised to see Potter. “Hey bud. Come on in.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reviews

[ben]

I should finish this or, put it somewhere. what do you think?