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Partings |
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Kethry Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-29
Posts 9082Victoria Australia 
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Chelsea stood on the edge of the pier, her flaxen, and silken; shoulder length hair blew around her face in the gentle breeze. The early morning sun glistened off her bronzed skin and her floral, sleeveless; cotton dress and sandaled feet highlighted the feel of warmth and light. The man standing close beside her with his forehead resting on her shoulder was handsome enough to be a Greek God with his dark looks, coffee bronzed skin and uniform worn proudly to show to the world his career choice. The brass buttons sparkled and reflected the light of the summer sun and his cap was atop the clinging toddler, sitting askew and making a comic picture for so seemingly such a serious occasion. They would have been the perfect advertisement for summer love if it had not been for the two children clinging to her dress and if one did not look too closely at her tear streaked face that even now became wet again as more free-flowing tears pushed the old stains out of the way. Her darling Robert was going away and she feared she would never see him again. For ten lovely years they had been together day in and day out, even before their marriage seven years ago they had seen each other everyday. From the moment Chelsea saw Robert at the disco she had known he was the only one for her. It had been hard finding her place as she wrestled against his strict Italian family with their strong beliefs that he should marry within his community but she had persisted and her gentle nature had won them over. Robert's parents loved her even more than they loved Robert, if that was possible and they doted on little Camilla who was now looking most unlovable with her snivelling voice and tear stained face that so accurately reflected her mother's anxiety. Joseph, named after his grandfather could do no wrong in the in laws' eyes and even when Joseph was being particularly naughty as he was on occasions, they would smile indulgently and simply say "cheeky like Roberto." Then they would take him up and swing him in the air until kisses and giggles took away all thought of guilt or punishment. Chelsea believed she had been particularly blessed in her choice of partner and in her children. She had not had a happy childhood her parents had been Salvation Army ministers and had moved every two years. Oh she had been loved enough and cherished within her own family network but she found making friends hard and by the time she had established friendship networks it was time to move again. By the time she was twelve she had discovered the romance of fairy tales and the happy ever after; she had immersed herself in books and they became her best friends throughout her early teenage years. Her belief in the happy ever after was one of the reasons their marriage had been so successful, Chelsea could not, would not contemplate divorce and if divorce was not an option, then she had to work extra hard at making her marriage work. She believed totally in the 'till death do us part' clause of the marriage vows although she prayed that that day would always be a long way off. Her marriage had been a match made in heaven as far as she was concerned and she intended that Robert would have no reason to be dissatisfied with her. Everyday she made sure she was relaxed and made up when he came home. She fed and bathed the children early and insisted they play in their bedrooms away from him for a half an hour when he came home, to ensure he also had time to unwind. She greeted him with a kiss and a smile and made sure her complaints about the day did not intrude upon this time. She had learned early on that even a perfect love could be spoiled by petty worries and so she practised restraint. She had given Robert time to be himself when he came home tired and grumpy and he had responded to her sacrifice by giving fully of himself when Camilla and Joseph presented themselves, clean and scrubbed, ready for bed. Robert delighted in his children even more than his parents did. He always made time to see that four-year-old Camilla brushed her teeth properly and the time spent in telling stories before bed always seemed to soothe her so that she went straight to sleep and dreamed pleasant dreams if the smile on her face was anything to go by. Robert seemed to have an instinct about his children and he knew exactly how to calm his rambunctious two year old and ensure he was settled in his tiny bed early enough for Chelsea and Robert to enjoy a glass of wine or two over their meal and to spend the evening and all night, in loving harmony and sometimes plain loving. Even when she had worked at the Ford factory for two days a week, while her parents and in-laws took turns in caring for the children, she had taken the time to make herself look beautiful for her man. The women at work had laughed at her and called her a foolish romantic but she didn't care, she was ecstatically happy and hoped to remain so for the rest of her days. The fact that Robert too, had worked in the factory had not changed the relationship, her friends said it would, they said a woman could not live with a man and work with him as well because every partnership needed some space in their relationship. Chelsea knew they were wrong, she would never get tired of Robert, his voice still had the power to thrill her even after all this time and she still believed he was the best eye candy she had ever seen. His laugh was medicinal to her soul and she felt complete only when she was with him or serving him. When they were together it was perfection. When they were apart his absence was a presence almost felt and their love grew daily despite or maybe because of the warnings given by friends and colleagues alike. Robert had worked his way up from being a junior to supervisor level and it was on his recommendation that Chelsea had been hired. Chelsea loved her job almost as much as she loved her family and she believed she was destined to live the happy ever after when the shocking news came through. The Ford factory was moving location to China, no longer would they operate from the rolling meadows of Upfield. No longer would there be buildings that resounded with the sound of happy workers and no longer would there be jobs for the majority of workers. Of course, some would keep their jobs, mostly managerial staff and workers were told to expect the worst and look for other work. During this time of uncertainty Robert consoled her with the promise that even if they both lost their jobs he would find a way to provide for the family. Chelsea clung even tighter to the bonds of love that had joined them in the first place. She smiled in the face of adversity so that Robert might be proud and he was, it showed in his strength and in his ferocious loving. The Union slowed the process of closure down for some months and during this time the workers walked on tenderhooks, comforting themselves with sugar spun promises of no closure but eventually the inevitable happened. The factory shut down. Chelsea was one of the first staff members to go because she was the most recent employee and because she worked part time. Her fellow workers gave her a nice party, well a group party really for all of the first batch that were leaving and they gave her a gift and wished her luck. It was a devastating time that could have been even more devastating if it had not been for the constant love and support from her beloved Robert. He soothed her when she was fretful, praised her when she took pains to please him and cajoled her into eating when she did not have the emotional strength to lift her fork. His parents were also supportive and strengthened her belief in the happy after of their marriage. Nothing it seemed could shake their love for each other. Then came the dreadful news that Robert could also be laid off. He was offered a choice of taking a package or going to work in Ford's head office in Sydney. He did not want to uproot his family and was not prepared to commute and spend all week in another state away from his wife, so he chose a package and made plans to find alternate employment, perhaps with a job he desired to do since he was young when the opportunity had escaped him. While Chelsea sighed and moped Robert applied for a job that would see him in uniform, doing what he desired. He did not tell Chelsea because he did not want to worry her, in case it didn't happen or in case it did. When he was accepted he made sure that Chelsea would be too busy reminiscing about their night of loving to be concerned about his departure. Now with his uniform on and his brass buttons gleaming in the early sun he was ready. Chelsea stood on the edge of the pier with tears running down her face, cheek to cheek they stood with Joseph and Camilla clutching her skirts and wailing. Robert kissed her slowly, lingeringly until the moment of departure could not be postponed any longer. "Come on Chels," he said gently "I'll be back soon." "I don't want you to go!" she said passionately. "I'm afraid!" "I know you are love" he whispered "but this is something I have to do. Let's face it if I'm going to be a Chauffer in Frankston, I have to catch the Peninsular ferry each day. I will be back tonight." Here in the midst of my lonely abyss, a single joy I find...your presence in my mind. Unknown |
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| © Copyright 2003 Lynne Dale - All Rights Reserved | |||
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wintertao Member
since 2003-11-17
Posts 366Okaloosa Island, FL |
I loved it! Much enjoyed look forward to reading more by you...merry Christmas |
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