Winter Season

Desire

At the end of the work day, Oscar was beat. He and Esther had enjoyed dinner together every night. Would they have dinner together tonight? Should he go over and get her. He was exhausted. His episode Monday had destroyed him. He honestly admitted to himself that he was a mess. He also admitted that deep down inside, he was attracted to her. All of those feelings that he had been trying to bury with prayer were starting to break through his defenses.

His questions were answered when he got home. When he saw her house, she was standing on the sidewalk waiting on him. There was a grin on her face bigger then Texas. He couldn’t wait to get out of the SUV to find out what she was up to.

“Hi there.” She grinned.

“Hi.”

“Follow me, kind sir. I have something for you.” When they walked into the living room, all Oscar saw was a chair. She handed him a notebook, an ink pen, and a disposable camera.

“What’s this for?”

“I saw Chester, Chet.” She corrected herself. “And he shared with me the feelings you have about this house. So,” she wiggled, “I’m going to leave you two alone. I’ll be around. I do have one favor to ask.” He was numb. “Could I have the keys to your house?”

He so wanted to say, get them and while you’re at it. But he didn’t. He reached in his pants pocket and gave her his keys. Before he could gather his wits about him to speak, she was gone.

He was in shock. How could Chet do this to him? This was so very personal. So, well, it was very much a part of him. And all of a sudden he felt exposed. He knew that he had mentioned to her that he had always wanted to see the inside of the house. But for Chet to tell her exactly how he felt was friendship treason.

When the heat kicked on, he was startled. It amazed him that heat had a smell. Even in his own house and at school, he could smell the heaters. Then he realized that the house smelt of bleach. She had spent all day cleaning. A quick glance at the ink pen told him that she had been to the bank. He laughed at the notion of them giving her a toaster for opening a new account. She really didn’t seem like the toaster type.

As he looked around, he noticed she had left the lights on. He could only imagine that this was what coming home to a loving wife felt like. Everything felt warm and inviting. This little house no longer smelt of must and mold, but dare he say – love.

It took a lot of trust, he figured, on her part to leave him here. Leave him alone with the object of one of his desires. Even though none of her real belongings were in the house, it was a bold move. But then again, he did give her the keys to his house.

He took pictures and made detailed notes about everything in the house. Even the chair that she had left. As he went back into the living room, he hoped to find Esther. Instead, he found another notebook and ink pen. This pen was from the gas company.

Outside, the night was turning bitterly cold. Every star in the heavens twinkled. To his amazement, this little house had a basement. He saw the reflection of the light on the side of the moving van. The entrance to the basement was in the back of the house. The extra notebook she placed in the chair came in handy. He smiled. But she knew that didn’t she, otherwise she wouldn’t have put it there. He was able to answer one question he had about this house; the original one room frame was still there. It was amazingly beautiful and old.

The veil of bitter cold darkness was wrapped around the world tighter now than when he went into the basement. He found a note on the door that read, ‘lock up’. He did before placing the note in one of the notebooks. He was amazed; he didn’t feel exhausted anymore. Tired yes, but not drop dead exhausted as when he first got home.

He told himself tomorrow he would describe the outside of the house. His back was to the road. He was staring at the little house. There was nothing in the world but him and this house. At that moment, he forgave Chet for his friendship treason. This quite possibly was the greatest gift he had been given.

“All done?” He jumped out of his skin. Esther was standing behind him. There was that big ole smile. “Sorry,” she covered her mouth with her hand. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“No harm. Yes, I’m done.” They stood in silence for a moment; “thank you so much, I can never really explain to you what this meant to me.” He threw his arms around her and tried to give her the best hug he could.

She enjoyed his hug more than she should have. He was so warm. She giggled, “make me a promise.”

“Of?”

“I want to be the first person to read the book.”

“May I take pictures of the outside tomorrow?”

Winter Season