After the walk, Terry pushed open the front door. He hadn’t
overeaten like that in years. Closing his eyes, he could still taste the
rigatoni. Covered in that sauce, that excellent sauce, it had created memories
on his tongue. Clare cooked like that, too. As he unharnessed the pug, he
remembered winter weekends when they didn’t get dressed, but spent the day
cooking, eating, watching tv and making love. It had become a ritual. He’d pick
one football game and she’d pick one movie.
Clare
would make stew or soup or even a small turkey with stuffing, and bake cookies.
And they’d pigged out. Snuggling up together on the sofa, Terry usually started
things. A self-confessed breast fanatic, he’d start there. It wasn’t long
before the tv was either on pause or totally ignored as they feasted on each
other.
After
toeing off his shoes, he sighed and padded into the living room. Might as well
get some news in quick before he called Clare. While some perfectly made up and
coiffed women and men fed details of the latest shooting or scam, Terry’s mind
wandered. What would he say to Clare? How could he tell her he needed to talk
to her, to connect with her, every day? He didn’t want to come off as needy, a
tyrant, or, worse, a chauvinist. But he had rights, as her husband, and someone
who adored her, didn’t he?
At ten
of, his cell rang. It was Clare. Her being early was a good sign, wasn’t it? He
smiled as he picked up the phone.
“Hi,
baby,” he said.
“Hi.”
Her tone was decidedly cool.
“We’ve
been missing each other…”
“Yeah,
I’m sorry about that. But, well, my schedule has changed,” she said.
“Right.
What is your schedule? I don’t want to call when you’re in class.” He kept his
tone even.
“Texting
is really better.”
“I have
to be honest. I can’t sleep if I don’t know that you’re safe, wherever you
are.”
“You
need to touch base every night?”
“Yeah. I
do. You’re my wife, I want to know you’re okay.” There! He’d gotten it out on
the table.
Silence.
He paced in the living room.
That's all. Thanks for stopping by.
I can understand his frustration. As a mother it killed me when the kids were away at university or college and I didn't know if they were okay. It would be so much worse for a spouse. Great post.
ReplyDeleteIt's sad that she doesn't want to hear his voice each night, too. What is wrong with this woman?
ReplyDeleteoooh. Here is comes. What I've been expecting. She has found someone else.....
ReplyDeleteOh no! Why the coolness and silence? I am feeling anxious with him! The way you build that feeling is amazing. Great job!
ReplyDelete