Simply Friends (9) “and all those people must draw on those good memories.” “yes,” Ted Hamilton said, easing back into his own memories. “You are right as always Mrs. Hamilton. Now about those pancakes.” “later,” she said, putting her finger to his lips. “Now just rest. Enjoy the quiet morning that God has given us. Imagine the white frost, the snow, the gentleness of this early hour.” “Hmm,” said the assistant U.S. attorney, “and think that we have to remove the snow from the driveway and the roof.” “We will,” she said. “Right now we’re enjoying the peace. And you can ask Jan about Beth after you’ve done your work for the day.” Suddenly, Snooty the cat jumped up on the bed and walked between them. Ted pulled aside the covers and gently guided him to the familiar spot at his hip. He petted the cat and laid his hand on his fir. Kim put her hand on top of his hand and they both closed their eyes. For here and now, the morning was peaceful and the quiet eased Ted’s mind. Kim awoke slowly to hear the phone ringing, Ted’s arm over her middle, exerting pressure, his face pressed into her neck. She moved away from him, dislodging his arm, gently pushing his head away from her. He didn’t seem to mind the disturbance. He slept on and Kim picked up the phone. “Mrs. Hamilton, Kim, it’s Linda from the U.S. attorney’s office. Have you seen the reports yet?” “What reports,” Kim said. “We’re not awake yet.” “Oh I’m sorry I know it’s early. I don’t mean to interrupt you two but the roads are closed and so we’re telling everyone to stay home today. Ted has some briefs due today but if he’s got the work he can just work on them at home.” “Oh,” Kim said. “Oh yes he was mentioning that earlier this morning. We were awake for a while. Really early. I guess we slept. Well, I’ll tell him.” “Yes. Just wanted to catch him before he heads out here.” “I suppose I should turn on the reports, the radio,” Kim said. “Have a good day Mrs. Hamilton.” Kim hung up the phone and looked over to see Ted sitting up. “Don’t go to work today,” she said. “The roads are closed. I guess your idea was a good one after all.” “Oh, he said, swinging his feet over the side of the bed. “Yes.” Kim sat on the edge of the bed beside him. “Good morning, counselor.” “Hi.” They kissed and then got up quickly. “Guess I better go make those pancakes,” he said, smiling. “Then get to work. Go get the girls. I’ll start breakfast.” Kim smiled. Her restaurant was closed for now. She thought it might be time to sell the place and Angie would probably be a willing buyer. Angie had helped Kim start the café thirty years ago and her grand daughters loved working there. Kim was doing well financially, she had money set aside and could devote more time to volunteer projects or making a home for herself and Ted. She still held on to her house in Des Moines, it was a good place to go and work on some other projects of hers. More and more Kim found herself spending time here in this little house, the one she had helped Ted to find thirteen years ago after Leslie and he had divorced and he needed a place to spread out and a place to have more room for the girls and the cat. This little place where Ted had drawn comfort, worked hard, been sick, the house where they had held each other the night the wind blew down the tree that separated this house from the Matheson house, the hallway where they shared their first kiss, the house where the girls had played and lived. It was a good place and she found herself spending more time there as the years went by. Ted never asked her if she was going to sell the house. When they had married she had taken his name but had kept the house and her restaurant. Now the restaurant was almost in the hands of another but her house remained her own. Sometimes sitting out on the porch swing holding hands he’d ask about it but he never asked her to give it up and to move into this house. “We’re married,” he said, “but you and I need space and you had this house before I had mine and if you want to keep it, to spend time there, to entertain friends there, or just to have it for whatever reason, I’m not going to stop you. If you want to rent it out that’s up to you or just keep it.” “Come spend time there with me sometimes,” she said. “Sure of course. Snooty needs a break from me once in a while.” “Yes.” Kim started as a hand on her shoulder made her blink. Ted laughed. She loved his laugh, it was a quiet laugh, almost a sigh. She turned to see his face, his sparkling blue eyes. “You look like you’re making a million dollars in your head,” he said. “Are you getting an idea?” “No ideas. I was just thinking about the houses.” “Oh.” “I was thinking that this is such a peaceful house. I’m glad I found it for you.” “Mrs. Hamilton,” Ted said, reflectively. “You always find the best things. I’m glad I finally had sense to ask you to marry me.” “Yes,” she said. “I’m glad I had the sense to accept.” Ted Hamilton stamped the snow from his fir-lined boots as he quickly removed the key from his jacket pocket, holding it gingerly in his gloved hand, following its progress with his eye as he slipped it into the door and unlocked the front door to the house on Flowing Stream Lane. The cars were safely parked in the warmed garage on this crisp, piercingly cold November evening and now he quickly opened the door and slid into the warmth of the house, shutting the door behind him before the warmth could escape. He shivered from the cold, its biting fingers sneaking into his clothing. A draft of warm air met him as he worked the partially frozen key from his gloves and stuffed them into the pocket of his heavy parka. He lifted his head and sniffed the air, the smell of something warm baking and something else catching his senses as he walked over to the closet and hung up the parka and then sat down to pull off his boots. He sighed as all the protective clothing was removed, finally able to enjoy the warmth of the house. He put the boots away, moving freely about, wiggling his fingers to restore feeling and made his way to the kitchen. “Anyone here?” he called cheerily as he emptied his bag and dishes into the sink. He looked around him, the oven radiated heat, some dishes stood in a neat row. “Right here, baby.” He turned around, startled, Kim’s figure wafting a gentle floral fragrance coming to meet him. She came to him, holding out her arms. Ted gathered her against him, placing his mouth over hers, slowly, lazily greeting her, their kiss lingering in the warmth of the kitchen, the cold world outside crisp and quiet in the early evening. Kim shuddered in his arms, responding to his probing. She relaxed in his embrace, the fragrance, her smooth hair hovering over him. “Was court that bad?” she teased him as he gently disengaged himself but still held her. “No,” he smiled. “No. Don’t remind me of that. That’s done for today.” “What do you want me to remind you of?” “Only you.” She let him kiss her again. “Happy anniversary Mr. Hamilton.” Today marked the fifth anniversary, this cool November, and as they had done each year they spent the night together in Ted’s house. Kim didn’t seem in a hurry to leave him, she took his hand and they made their way into the living room and sat down in his recliner, pulling her onto his lap. “I’m making your favorite,” she said as she relaxed against him. He lazily traced her hair. “You’re my favorite.” Kim laughed, she knew what was on Ted’s mind and she did not turn him away. “We’ve got an hour,” she teased seductively. “I timed it just right.” “Did you?” His voice was harsh in the warmth. He could feel his senses filling with her, his eyes taking in her neat appearance, his taste her kiss, his body the feel of her on his knees, his mouth discovering in her’s the last vestiges of something sweet. She sat with her head on his shoulder tucked under his chin. They were quiet for a long time only holding each other in their eyes. Kim began to lazily stroke his hair, his face, his neck, her arm resting on his and then playing with his fingers. She twisted the gold band that surrounded his finger. Slowly, gently they came together, he began to undress her. “Here?” “Why not? It’s my house.” “Your country’s money.” “Hmmm.” He hushed her with his lips, he curled her about him, and soon they lay spent on the floor, curled up protectively, breathing each other in, quiet, content, satiated. Kim ran her hand slowly along the fleshy, sturdy middle of Ted’s back, his mouth lazily claimed heir’s and it was a while before anyone said anything. No words were necessary. Kim wriggled in Ted’s arms, slowly getting to her feet. “Do you want to have a burned dinner?” she teased him, pulling gently at his thick, dark hair. “I don’t think so.” “No,” he said quietly. The evening stretched out before them and soon they sat at the table. The China pattern with little leaves and vines curled around the plates, the fragile stem ware, light as a feather, translucent, reflected the light that hung over the table. The house sat quietly, outside the air was still, the slightest noise would crackle through the air like gunfire. “I have news,” Kim said as they had finished a light salad with vinaigrette dressing. “Good news I hope.” Ted let the thick metal handle of his fork lie on his palm as he looked down at a light green curling lettuce leaf. He watched as it tried to curl between the tines of the fork. “Well, interesting news. Something you’ve been asking me a bout for a long time.” “Hmm,” Ted sat back and put down the fork. He lazily pushed back the plate and lifted the light glass to his lips, letting the cool mineral water caress his tongue. His eyes took in Kim’s floral dress, the one she had put back on after their extended reunion in the living room. He let his gaze rise slightly to her smiling brown eyes. “I have a buyer for the house in Des Moines,” she said. “I have an offer on the house.” “Your house?” Ted’s dark brows lifted in surprise. “An offer on the house?” He was not sure he had heard correctly. Kim’s affirming nod set his mind at ease. “That means,” he said quietly, “that you want to move in here? Permanently?” “I’ve been thinking about it,” she said. Their plates sat untouched. Ted picked up his fork and speared a piece of tender steak and chewed it while this news sank in. “Kim,: he said almost not believing it. “After all these years. You finally want to come live here?” Kim sat forward, her eyes a question in her smooth complexion. “We sort of talked about it. It wasn’t right before with the business so far from here and it was just easier that way.” Kim smiled at her husband. “You were always so understanding. You were sweet for accepting me and all my baggage and not making me give anything up. You understood me, Ted. That makes me love you so much more. Now, I spend so much time here and well, Ted, this is such a quiet, homey house. So many years ago when you bought it you loved it. It’s you and well how can I be a part of you without being here? It’s just natural, and time, I think. Unless you don’t think so?” Her voice questioned him, his eyes reassured her gently. “Kim,” he whispered. “Kim I want to come home and find you here. I want to know you’re here.” “It’s time for me to move in, Ted. The restaurant is closed. Angie bought the place last year. The house was used for entertaining clients and things like that. I have money gaining interest and I’m ready to do something else now. To work in the community and well it’s just time.” Ted could hardly contain his happiness. His face darkened, then lightened up, then he smiled. Kim as she had so often done in so many instances reached out and took her husband’s hands. They were warm, the thick fingers sturdy, the few scars from working in the yard or working from adding on to the house that she had helped him find, rough under her hands. She rubbed a thick, scar on his thumb, let her hand lie across it. Then she removed her hands and went back to her plate. The silence between them was golden, and for a moment, they both ate in contented companionship. He sat back, resting in his high-backed chair, enjoying the last remnants of his mineral water. “That’s the best anniversary present ever, I think,” he said, the blue expressive eyes becoming boyish in their glee. “My wife is finally going to come home.” “yes, Ted, this house is home. Remember when we found it?” How could they forget; his anguish over his first failed marriage, his need for something comforting. He hadn’t added to the house for quite some time, rapped up in his work and seeing his children. But in the last few years he had worked on it, expanding the east end of the house where they had once come to see a fallen tree during the most hellish case of his professional career, while a good case of influenza ravaged him. That had been the year they had finally turned from friends to lovers and husband and wife. Their stable foundation of friendship had been the core of their marriage, during his stressful, long hard days and her stressful hard days, and their quiet nights when she had sometimes lain beside an exhausted man, rubbing an aching back or he had done the same for her. Now she wanted something lighter if just as engaging and Ted still wanted what he had, he worked hard and loved it. The difference now was that they would live in the same place. “You can use the added on rooms as your place,” he said, “for all your stuff.” “My paintings of mountains?” she said. “Some might compliment yours.” He nodded. “We can sort all that out,” he said. “For now it’s enough to know that you’re going to be here.” Later, after cherry pie and coffee, flowers, they settled down to watch a movie. Kim snuggled beside Ted, chuckling because he was thoroughly lost in the action on the screen. She slipped her fingers into his and he squeezed them absently. Kim, after so many years, was finally home. The End
Copyright © 2008 Shelley J Alongi |