Nightmare?

The woman reached longingly to the man as he slowly walked toward the waiting car, constantly looking back over his shoulder. The suitcase in his hand belied his desire to stay.

"Don't go", she whispered. "Don't go..."

With an agonized sob the man dropped his suitcase and rushed back to her, pulling her to him tightly. After a short time he leaned back in her tight embrace, taking her face in both hands and staring deep into her eyes. "I want to stay, love. I don't want to go."

He pulled her close again as new tears started to fall. He could feel her shaking against him. Almost it was too much for him to bear, almost he decided to give up everything to stay.

He heard the car door open behind him and knew that his time was up. Still holding her tight he turned to face the one who would tear them apart. Was he their destroyer? Or could he indeed save them? Did it even matter if they must be apart?

He gave her one last tight squeeze and then released her; arms and then hands keeping contact until he was out of range. Walking backwards he bent down and retrieved his dropped suitcase, then slowly again made his way to the car. He could see her resisting an urge to run to him, to hold him and keep him from leaving. He knew that she knew he could not stay.

He got into the car, and watched with new tears in his eyes as destiny took him from her.



Perfect Day

I wake up...my wife is in my arms...as I stir she wakes up...tells me good morning and softly kisses my cheek...and we just lie there like that awhile, comforted by the closeness...as the sun rises we get out of bed...together we go to check on our child...she sleeps peacefully, knowing she is safe...we go to the kitchen and we talk as she makes a light breakfast...after we eat I help her clean up...as I get ready for the day, I hear her singing softly in the other room...I leave for college, missing her already even though I still see her standing in the doorway...my writing career is doing better than either of us had dreamed...the money is there, but we still live a simple life...happy in knowing we have each other and that nothing else is more important...throughout the day I think of her, knowing that being apart is necessary, but still wishing we were together...the long day of school is over...I enter our home, our daughter runs to me and jumps into my arms, so glad I am finally home...I carry her into the kitchen where her mother is busy once again preparing a beautiful dinner for all of us...without a word I hand her a single rose and kiss her softly...she smells so wonderful, like the very essence of spring and beauty...dinner is perfect, like always...we discuss our days...it is still amazing that even the hard things seem like an adventure when we are together...I finish and sigh contentedly, and she smiles at me...our daughter and I rush into the living room, laughing, teasing...I drop to the floor and we roll around, giggling with delight...shortly, my love joins us, sitting between us, tickling and laughing...night falls...where did the time fly?...it seems our time together goes so fast...our daughter has dozed off, her head against her mother's arm...careful not to wake her, I stand and gently pick her up...together we go to her room and put her to bed, kissing her gently...slowly we walk down the hall to our own room...as I turn to look at her, I am amazed all over by her beauty...she looks at me with those big eyes, the eyes I fell in love with what seems like an eternity ago...they draw me in and I feel myself fall in love with her all over again...we hold each other, content with the knowledge that all is well in our lives, that nothing can harm or take away what we have...and then we love, sharing ourselves completely, body and soul, becoming one...and we fall asleep in each other's arms.



Another Perfect Day

Morning comes...it's a weekend, and early, but I wake, wanting to spend every moment I can with my love...the summer has been hot, we are covered only with a sheet...I see her still sleeping form next to me, breathing so softly...a fresh morning breeze comes through the open window, caressing us...I ease out of bed carefully, letting her enjoy her rest a little longer...slipping into my robe I hurry down the hall and out the front door...the roses are in full bloom and I search through them for the most beautiful blossom...plucking it off, I hurry back inside and lay it next to her face so it will be her first sight when she wakes...I stand for awhile just watching her sleep...I can't help but compare the nearly perfect rose to her perfection...I thought I had found the most beautiful rose, but next to her it looks less somehow...she stirs slightly and opens her eyes...perhaps she has caught the scent of the flower, perhaps it was the soft breeze...or maybe like me she just wants to enjoy the new day together...her hand comes out from under the sheet and gently picks up the flower, spinning it slowly in her fingers, stopping now and then to breathe in its scent...then she sits up, holding the sheet about her, grinning mischievously...laughing I grab the sheet and pull it from her, then hold her tight to me...she pokes me in the ribs and then wraps her arms around me, resting her head on my shoulder...knowing we could spend the whole day in this room, but also knowing there was so much to see and do, we shower together and dress, feeling alive and vibrant...the day is bright, already getting hot...we eat a light breakfast out on the covered porch, enjoying the shade and the cooling breeze...all around us is life, a promise that time goes on but doesn't end...as we clean up after breakfast, we consider what we should do for the day...we decide to go for a walk before the heat builds too much...our home is isolated out in the country, surrounded by meadows, groves of trees, springs, ponds, beautiful wildlife...we set off, not consciously choosing a direction, just going where our hearts lead us...we walk along, in no hurry to be anywhere or return home...we come to a small, clear pond with a large tree overhanging the water...stopping in the shade, we hold each other and gaze around us, marveling at the beauty, loving life...she looks up at me, and I can't resist kissing her lips gently...the first soft kiss only makes us hungry for more, becoming more and more passionate...it seems we just can't get close enough...we lay down on the soft grass under the tree...there's no one around to worry about seeing...afterward, we slip into the pond and enjoy holding each other in the cool water...



The Legend of Pizza

Once upon a time, there was a large pizza. Now, the pizza was in disarray, for it felt divided against itself. Only in the center did all seem to join together in harmony. On the outside, the Great Crust Barrier was a dismal sight, barren and lifeless. On the central flats, the Mushrooms and Pepperoni were constantly feuding over grease rights.

One average seeming day, from out of the Great White Box, came a lone Canadian Bacon. Surveying the chaotic Plains of Cheese and the distant Crust Barrier, he wondered if he should move on. Then he spied her; the most beautiful Pineapple he had ever seen! And alas! She was being overwhelmed; smothered by a large herd of Anchovies! There was but one thing to do.

The baked fish were no match for the mighty Canadian. In no time he had the entire herd running for their cheese beds. Flashing his great flavor, he helped the young pineapple onto her tip. Her gratitude was endless, and he was greatly sweetened by her embrace.

And the rest is pizza history.



Awakening

It is dark by the time I leave work, and cold. Once again I am the last to leave. The deadlines always come too soon and it seems like I am always the one left to finish. I walk quickly to my old car, holding my worn coat tight around me. I try to open the door only to find it has frozen shut again. I pull my hand from my pocket and place it over the frozen lock to try to warm it up enough to open. The sting of the icy metal is sharp as daggers. After switching hands a few times I finally get the key to work. I start the car with only a little trouble and immediately turn the heater on as high as it will go. With any luck the air will be warm before I get home.

I start the long journey home. The sky is cloudy. It is so dark--like how I am feeling inside. I have driven a few miles before I realize I forgot some important papers back at the office. There is no choice, I have to go back. If the work is not finished by tomorrow my job is gone. With a sigh I turn the car around and drive the lonely road back to the office. I leave the car running and rush in and get the work, then start again for home. The road is deserted. I am so alone in this great dark night. As usual, my thoughts wander to the pit my life is in: a dead end job, debts that are threatening to drown me and my family. No savings, no hope, just hanging on and praying for a miracle.

After miles of deep, dark thoughts I reach home. The porch light is on--unusual, since we usually leave it off to save money. I turn off the key and the car sputters slowly to a stop. Aching and tired, I get out of the car and walk to the door. For a moment I stop with my hand on the doorknob, looking sadly at the rundown home. I had had dreams of so much more than this.

I walk slowly through the small, crowded living room into the kitchen. My wife is there, hurriedly putting dinner on to warm up for me. "This should be ready in just a few minutes,” she says quietly, not wanting to disturb our daughter.

"Why is the porch light on?” I ask her, more harshly than I intended to.

Her face falls and she looks down. "I'm sorry love. We had visitors and I forgot to turn it back off."

The quivering in her voice is just punishment to me for being so harsh. Gently I pull her close and hold her. "I am so sorry angel. Forgive me. It doesn't matter."

She begins to cry softly in my arms. How could I be so selfish? She was the one who put up with more than her share of these hardships. I had promised her so much before we were married. I stroke her hair softly, hair that is not as shiny as it once was...we had to use water sparingly too.

She looks up at me with her tear-streaked face. "Did you finish the project?"

"No," I say, looking away. "I will have to finish tonight. I should have enough time."

She gives me a tight squeeze, then looks up again. "Can you read Amy a story first? I told her you might."

I pause for only a moment before answering. "Of course. Let me go check on her now."

"Okay," she says. "I will tell you when your supper is ready."

I walk down the small hall to Amy's room. Her light is on. She appears to be asleep, but when I open the door further she opens her eyes.

"Daddy!" she says excitedly. "Are you going to read me a story?"

I can't help but smile. The child is so beautiful, just like her mother. "I have time for a short one princess," I say, thinking of all the work I have left to do before morning. It was going to be a long night.

She picks one of her favorites and I read it in the voices she loves so much. She giggles and I have to chuckle with her. I finish and tuck her in, kissing her gently on the forehead.

"Sweetest dreams princess."

"Sweetest dreams daddy, I love you."

"I love you too princess."

I see her bright eyes look past me and turn to find my wife at the door. The smile on her face catches me a little by surprise. How long since I have seen her truly smile?

"Your supper is warm, love," she says, stepping into the tiny room.

"Thank you," I say, giving her a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"I will say goodnight to Amy and be right there," she says with another small smile.

I leave them and return to the kitchen, the aroma of the food making my mouth water and my stomach growl. It always amazes me how she can make such wonderful meals from the meager food we have. The portions are small, but they satisfy me well enough.

She returns to the kitchen just as I am finishing. She takes my dishes to the sink and starts to wash them. On a sudden impulse, I join her. "I want to help," I say, grabbing the dish towel and drying.

"Honey, I can do them. You should get going on your work so you can get some sleep tonight," she says, reaching for the towel.

"A few more minutes won't matter," I say.

We finish the dishes in silence. She seems nervous about something, looking around as if searching. "What is wrong, angel?" I ask her quietly.

The sudden break of the silence startles her. "Well..." she says, clearing her throat. "The rent is due soon. I don't think we are going to be able to pay it."

She turns away from me. I can tell she is crying again. "You don't get paid for another week...I don't think the landlord is going to take anymore excuses."

I reach out and turn her around, lifting her chin so she looks at me. Ahhh, it kills me to see her cry. "Angel, listen to me. I will find a way to get the money. I must have something we can sell."

"NO!" The suddenness and force of her reply startles me. "I am SO tired of selling more of our things when we run out of money. I am SO tired of watching you kill yourself to keep our home. I am...I am so tired."

She throws her arms around me, hanging on desperately, sobs shaking her body. "We can't keep living like this. We can't throw our lives away to STAY alive," she sobs. "And what good is a home if you can't hold me when I need you?" she asks, so softly that I barely hear.

Her words enter me, tearing at my heart, breaking barriers and walls I didn't even know were there. My tears flow freely, and we both stand there sobbing in each other's arms. The truth of her words hits me like a blow. For so long I have been trying so hard to keep us alive that I have let the most important part of us die. How did my dreams and visions for the future become so twisted???.

We stand there until we have both calmed and the tears have stopped. She pulls away. "You better get your work done. I’m going to check on Amy and then go to bed."

"No," I say softly, pulling her back into my arms. "I have been so wrong for so long. Things have to change."

"If you don't do the work you will lose your job."

"If I DO the work, I will lose something far more important," I say, stroking her hair. "I am so very sorry for this ugly life I have given you. You deserve so much more."

At that, her head jerks back and she looks up angrily. "How can you say that??? Don't you understand that I don't care how we live, as long as you are with me?? And I know Amy feels the same!"

I stare into her eyes. Something is happening inside me. My mind turns inward as she stares up at me defiantly. I see my heart--see the frost and dirt that has hidden it melting away. I see my back that has bent and sagged under the stress of life begin to straighten. I see the passion I thought dead come alive.

I open my eyes. She is still staring up at me, almost daring me to contradict her. Slowly, I lean forward and place my lips on hers. I can tell by the set of her mouth that she is shocked. I pull away and look at her, her eyes wide, then I kiss her again. This time she is ready. Our lips meet in that perfect kiss that we fell in love to so long ago. Fire and passion explode through my senses like I have never felt.

The kiss lasts a long time, then I remove my lips from hers and we stand there almost gasping for air. "It's been so long," she whispers against my chest as I hold her tight. "I don't want it to ever go away again." Her voice shakes a little.

"It won't," I say. "Not ever. I promise."

She looks up at me and smiles--the most beautiful smile I have ever seen. I kiss her again. It is interesting to kiss when neither of us can stop grinning.

In a rush, I reach down and lift her into my arms. A small gasp escapes her lips, then she is grinning again and giggling. I look over to where my work sits on the table, then without a second thought I carry my angel to our room. Yes, it was definitely going to be a long night.








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