Return To Sender (Part Ten)

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Magnus

Member Laureate

since 2001-10-10

Posts 14135
South Carolina, USA

0 posted 2003-12-20 11:23 PM

The smoke alarm sounding shrilly behind them, they laughed heartily at this intrusion into a moment that both had fleetingly thought about.  Bill’s face, somewhat reddened by the blush
of hormones, the frustration of desire and the ache of his ribs as he stifled a hearty laugh.  Neither had experienced such joy in years.  And now, this day....both felt like teenagers on their first date,
experiencing their first kiss.

Breakfast was a savored moment.  Each sitting at opposite ends of a table fit for four, yet perfect for just the pair of them.  Mugs of coffee steaming within hands reach.  The fruit slices, now gone, save one last slice.  Neither of them would claim this last morsel....Was it being polite, or
was it masculinity versus femininity?   Time would tell....  They talked of times past, of current
events, of where their lives had been headed as well as where they were at this time.  Eventually,
the discussion turned toward her needs which had been expressed within the letter that she had left for Bill.  Mary Lou carried within her a destructive gene, one which would tear down the bodies resistance and energy, leading to eventual death. She was unsure that anything could be done for herself, but was certain that Bill carried genes which would counter the disease, attack the rogue cells and save the children.

Bill sat silent for a few minutes.  Pondering within the words that had been exchanged.  Sipping
his coffee slowly, contemplating each word, not wanting to express alarming thoughts or giving
Mary Lou the feel of fear....though fear was flowing strong within his veins.  For Bill dearly
loved this woman....He did not want to lose yet another person in his life...His losses weighed
heavily upon his soul.  What could he do for her?  Mere comfort certainly could not be enough.
There must be more that he could do.  He would do all that he could, for her, for them, for
him...No quarter would be given.  Why had he deserted her twenty years ago?  So much could
have been gained...had they been together then....Shaking his head slightly, looking toward
Mary Lou, seeing those blue eyes, compassionate eyes....unwavering...looking into the soul of
this man....a tear welling....falling from her face slowly....

Standing, walking to Mary Lou...reaching out and bringing her to him....Bill held her tenderly,
as she melted into him.  Her soft sobs absorbed by his warm embrace.....Bill comforted her
as much as he could....holding her, rocking softly, slowly from side to side...This woman
must live....Her life was too precious a gift to be wrenched from his grasp.  A plan must
come together....Bill knew this.  Bill had friends,  friends in places of importance.
One, a doctor at a teaching hospital.  A fellow writer and poet.  He would contact him. Perhaps
he could shed more light on this disease, could give Bill directions toward another doctor
that specialized in genetics.  Tomorrow would bring a new day, a new week....Bill would
actively seek assistance then....

Dishes, oh how he hated dishes....at least the dirty ones....Find a dirty dish in Bill’s house?
Not a chance.....Mary Lou stood beside this man....helping him wash the morning’s dishes.
Wiping each dish dry after Bill had scrubbed and rinsed each one.  Placing them in a neat
stack on the counter adjacent to the sink.  Awaiting his instructions as to where they
would be placed.  For she had no idea how his cupboards were arranged....She knew this,
and also knew that she wanted to learn, perhaps even rearrange ever so slightly...but she
would do this cautiously and carefully...She did not want to scare Bill away from her...
Not then, not ever....each minute was one more minute of her life that she was cherishing
with Bill.  Silently she prayed their days were not numbered.

Bill wanted to return to town this day.  For Old Red, his truck was still there beside the
country store.  No one would steal such a heap as this, but Bill was quite fond of his
truck and knew it was time for the two of them to be together once again.  Would
Mary Lou digress from her Sport Ute down to a rickety, bumpy, gear grinding beast
that was 20 years old?

They each parted from the kitchen and headed into separate rooms, his above, on the
second floor and her own, below down the hall from the foyer.  Showers running
softly betraying them.   The steam rising lazily above the shower curtains....Both
carefully washed themselves, humming merrily, softly....a tune, familiar this time.
One they had both shared during their courtship...their favorite song....They also
thought of that kiss which had been shared yet short of life.  Neither had wanted
to allow that moment to stop...Bill recalled that moment as he showered, allowing
the warm water to flow slowly down his neck, his back.....falling into the waiting
drain.....he heard his name called softly....turning slowly.....their eyes riveted on
each other....Mary Lou closed the shower curtain behind her...

(Moderator--If there is a problem with the ending
of this,  and being in prose....please let me know,
I will modify it.)

ThisDiamond
Member Rara Avis

since 2002-02-22

Posts 9353
Michigan, USA

1 posted 2003-12-20 11:34 PM

Actually Barry...
This is the shower police, please pull over, you will receive the appropriate ticket for water on the floor.

It's steamy in here.

Grin

passing shadows
Member Empyrean

since 1999-08-26

Posts 45577
displaced

2 posted 2003-12-21 03:28 AM

damn

what a movie this would make

whew! very much worth the wait..of course, I had no doubt at all that it would be...

Barry, I'm speechless here...you know I don't get into prose that much, (I even skip over long poems if they are too long) but you have led me on this path here with this incredible story...and I think only you could do that.

passing shadows
Member Empyrean

since 1999-08-26

Posts 45577
displaced

3 posted 2003-12-21 03:30 AM

and I want to thank you for the childhood memory you have returned to me about helping mom with the dishes...I hated it then, but sure do miss it now

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

4 posted 2003-12-23 01:50 PM

Well, I think the moderators will leave this here for now...but if you get smudges on my nice clean WHITE towels, we'll have to see about moving the next installment to MC...

so just leave it to our imaginations, and, heh...wipe up the drips on the floor....

Susan Caldwell
Member Rara Avis

since 2002-12-27

Posts 8348
Florida