outside a small country hamlet on
a tree-lined dirt road where horse-drawn wagon ran he helped a young woman who
was struggling under two large baskets she carried across her shoulders on a
yoke
she wore a simple scoop necked chemise wrapped at the waist with a green embroidered shawl
she confessed her eyes were too bigbut the produce was wonderfully fresh and enticed her she bought vegetables and fruit and cheese
they were aromatic shaped well
she arrived at the market with a basket then realised she needed a second if she was going to acquire all that she had only hoped she might find
she also bought a third smaller one to keep delicate herbs and mushrooms she didnt want crushed or broken
a merchant who knew her loaned her the yoke
he offered her his servicehis back and shoulders
Not that I think you cant manage rather that you retain your strength for putting things up once youve arrive home Perhaps well make it there quicker too
they walked west soon they approached a property that was held by an aged split rail fence running beside the road
eightnine metres inside it ran a
brisk creek
there was a gate and a modest footbridge to cross the water
When I was a little girl we would take our shoes off and walked through it. My father built it for my mother. He teased her that she was growing too fat for him to always carry her across. She, in turn, teased him, and said that he wasn’t the strong, young man she knew when they met. They would laugh.
he laughed
she opened the gate let him through closed it at their backs and he let her lead the way cross the bridge
stepping off it they stepped onto a fieldstone walk grass and wildflowers grew between the stones anchoring their placement
the house was modest L-shaped the original home was to the left that which ran right looked to be three maybe four separate additions behind a wide porch that was protected by a low-angled roof
the front door was formidable broad heavy workedwood hinged where iron straps held its planks
it did not make a sound when she opened it after unlocking a cast iron lock and well-oiled sliding door latch that secured the house
he sidesteppedfollowed her inside to a great room at its back was the kitchen and huge farm table where he place the baskets down unyoked them
If youll give me a moment to work the blood back into my shoulders Ill be happyif you like to help you unpack the baskets separate lay out your purchases
Yes. Please. May I offer you some water?
Yes thank you that would be refreshing
on a counter below a window facing outback was a hand water pump mounted beside a deep zinc basin from an overhead cabinet to the sinks left she took down two clay cups and a pitcher she filled the pitcher then set the three on the table she filled the cups and handed one to him
Thank you
You’re welcome.
the water was cold and sweet
it was getting latenearing dusk when everything was unpacked and stored
Perhaps I best leave you to your evening now
No. Please. Wouldyou stay for dinner?
Please That would be nice How can I help
after dinner she offered him some wine and fruit she said shed prepare it if he wouldnt mind building a fire she said she felt a chill building outside and if they got ahead of it the house would warm and defray any advance the weather otherwise had in mind
he liked her notion that the weather had a mind
seasoned wood was stacked in a tall iron crib to the right of the doorway when entering the door swung in and left which provided unimpeded access to the crib when the wood needed to be replenished
he built a fire and moved two chair from the farm table to an oval handmade rug placed just beyond the stone hearth he placed them to either side of a low rustic table where she had placed the wine and the small platter of sliced fruit
You build a good fire.
he had a feeling it was something
of a test but the feeling passed
their conversation buzzed along punctuated with appropriate silences when thoughtful responses or more telling was needed
the night grew long
she rose to refill their wine and returning she placed another log on the fire
It’s getting late. I have spare bedrooms if, perhaps, you’d like to stay the night. I need only make a bed for you; give it a thought.
he didnt think long he didnt have obligations the following day
and she was correct about the weathers intentions he only had a thin jacket and his walk home
would take him at least an hour
If Im not putting you out I would appreciate staying
Excellent. she smiled I’ve been enjoying our conversation, and your, what shall I say . . your . particular view of things.
Particular is kind More often theyre greeted as peculiar
That would be accurate too. she smiled largertruly engaging her dimples
as they conversed they did not talk of relationships although it seemed not a tension rather a quiet acquiescence that they were involved in long loving relations
yet they were enthralled with each other
when she had placed the last log on the fire she stood casually before it she reached to itwarming her hands she luxuriated in its heat on her cheeks chest belly and thighs she sighed
sitting behind her he could see her figureher silhouette through her blouse and long skirt she was intoxicating
as the fire diedthough not the earnestness and variety of their conversation she stood during a pause Let me show you your bed.
beside the door were coat hooks off them hung woolen shawls throws afghans
selecting one for him We have to go outside. he took it from her she selected another for herself
wrapped they went out the door and caught their breathes they blew smoke You were right he told her
I’ve been living here a long time. Rarely can the weather fool me, which isn’t to say it hasn’t tried. We, and this land, are old friends, very old happy friends.
he called into the brisk night air Good evening I am happy to make your acquaintance
leading him her warm laughter cut the air like a knife
they went onto the porch under the awning past the first door to a second This will be you.
the door was unlocked
inside was a single unmade bed a wardrobe side table a small desk and chair above the desk a shelf of books a second chair near a stone hearth and potbelly stove across from the foot of the bed a small crib of wood beside it and kindling rolled paper on end in a hammer-pounded brass receptacle
the floor was hardwood there was a handmade rug similar to the rug in the great room beside the bed
a linen chest was beneath the window beside the door they entered
another door was beside the stove and crib two discrete steps before it
she rapped it with her knuckles That’s my bedroom.
This is very intimate
Yes. It is.
they made his bed together
finishing that he made a small fire in the stove to heat the room
Im making an assumption but could I build a fire in your room
Yes. That would be splendid. she took the small steps took a key from the hip pocket in her skirt and unlocked the door
her bedroom was nearly a mirror-image of his though a bit larger she had a bookcase a tall antique barrister bookcase etched glass filled to brimming
while he built her fire she returned to the house and came back with basin and a pitcher filled with water from the linen chest she took out a washcloth and a towel
as he entered the room closing the door behind him she pointed with her toe to under his bed and told him there was chamber pot
Goodness Youve thought of everything
she gave him a dimpled smile back
she locked the door between their rooms Let’s return to the house and enjoy the last of the fire.
A fine idea I enjoy a fires coals its crumbles flares sounds sighs
I do too.
returning he found she removed the kitchen chairs and in their stead placed on the broad hearth were two rolled-arm upholstered chairs they were warm to the touch
he laughed You do think of everything
Thank you. I try. It’s harder than you think.
they talked anew covered subjects they hadnt spoken of earlier
the fire was nearly crumbled small spitting blue flames then yelloworange The fire’s exhausted. I’m afraid I am too. Shall we retire?
Yes I could sleep
I could too. she winked
she went to her other hip pocket and flipped him a key the front door key If you would place the horse screen, and lock the house, please.
Yes I could do that
Thank you. I appreciate your accommodation.
My accommodationGosh yours Thank you so much Ill join you shortly I have to knock the coals down
he locked the door behind himshifted the afghan on his shoulderslooked into the deep black sky and startlinglybright pinpoint stars it was nearly a full moon it was marbled red and orange breathtaking
he went across the porch past his door rapped quietly on hers
she was in a nightgown a shawl across her shoulders and breasts
Did you see the moon he asked
No. I didn’t look.
You really ought to step out with me and look
they took a path that lead down near the creek its music was a perfect accompaniment the moon was just above the horizon on its last legs
Ohmy, she said, that’s beautiful. Thank you for noticing, and sharing.
they watched it until it set
she sighed
gently she took his elbow and said Would you like to see something marvelous?
Yes though tough to beat the moon
Perhaps. she released his arm and turned went up the path without another word
he followed
she left the door to her room open its insides flickered by the light of the stoves fire
he entered and closed the door behind him
immediately to his right was a low cloaked box a yellow light penetrated the cloth through its thinner worn aspects and through rents and pulls in the cloth
she was kneeling before it
she didnt motion to him
he knelt beside her
she lifted lengthwise half the quilt laying it on the remaining half still atop the box
looking down into it he saw the light was from a small sheltered bulb midway up
beneath it was an angular streamlined insect praying mantis-like though more elegant and larger it shone with its own turning bioluminescence
it stood poised
they admired it together wordlessly
it was mesmerising
after a while his knees ached from the hardwood floor he caught a joint he stood
he ran a finger at the shoulder of her nightgown not covered by the shawl
Thank you for sharing You should get your rest
Yes, she said her voice carrying off the boxs interior I should.
she stood and stooped she said Goodnight, little one. then she covered the box again with the quilt
he went to the door
she didnt follow
he looked and saw the door between their rooms was open
he went to that door
Thank you very much for the day it was unexpected Goodnight
Goodnight.
I also wanted to thank you for your kindness the food the wine the conversation your company
Thank you for sharing them with me, I don’t often get to cook and share a meal with someone. And also for your help carrying the baskets.
Youre welcome
he backed out of her room and going down the steps he closed the door through the door he said It was a fantastic day Thank you
she was on the other side of the door clearly he heard her It was a very fine day. Thank you.
she didnt lock the door
under it he saw her shadow undress
he watched it or hints of it until the light went out he heard her get into bed
he undressed in the darkthe simmering failing fire in the stove warmth radiated from it it was comfortable against the chill
through the small window above the desk under the bookshelf a black stab or stain of sky laid across his bed
laying done the blackness was on his thighs
he could feel its weight on the cotton blanket smell the sweetgrass expressed by its weight from the blanket being kept in the linen chest
laying there he could hear her shiftmove in her bed
she was still awake too
they laid tentwelve feet apart
he wanted to go to herhe wanted her to come to him
however
what of their unspoken relationships
hers
his
the two that until today perhaps held their hearts
he had been with his woman eight years
he wondered how long she had been with her man . . he smiled to himself . or with her woman
she wasnt aggressive
but he had been fooled before women whose blood went upWHO gave him an unexpected rise but if she was passiveIF she wanted to be dominated though she didnt show any signsdidnt reveal her hand
or she did
this was her childhood home her property
does a passive woman pursue only some things leave others to suitors usually there were hints small hints he didnt pick up on a single hinthad he made any hints NO
she was refreshing thoughtful intelligent
utterly selfsufficient
at home in her own skin
he was tempted to skin her he sat up
the inky blackness across his thighs grew heavier
was she asleepwas she holding her breath
he imaged himself going to the unlocked door and opening ithe imagined himself stepping onto the porch stepping onto the fieldstone crossing the footbridge onto the quiet dirt road the scent of flowers of the fallen orange moon the cold creek water the odor of warm horse apples
he imaged the trees lining the lane sighing occasional leaves letting go twirling in the purple air the rush of a small animal in the tall grass bushes ticking Nature pensive
as restless as he
he was still sitting up in bed
he crossed back to the house onto the porch past his door to her door and he entered without hesitating
he crossed back to the house onto the porch past his door to her door and he entered without hesitating
she was sitting upright on the edge of her bed
she was naked
flecked with the coloured
sputtering stove fire
she was beautiful
the nights bluish light lighted her from behindseemed to penetrate her herglow from inside her asif she was translucent
he walked over to her
he reached out to her
she placed her cheek on his palm
he stepped closer
with his other hand he held the back of her head
his fingers twining her long
chestnut-red hair
she raised her arms and wrapped them around his thighs and squeezed hard her pressure exquisite
he was never so enticed
he couldnt say how long they held that embrace
she smelled wonderful she emanated
he woke up in bed
the black band that held him was snapped by brilliant sunlight
0900 -- from a
dream, Thursday, 30 1.
20
1450, Thursday, 9 7. 20
1450, Thursday, 9 7. 20
