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By Max-Rom Date: 2001 Dec 27 Comment on this Work [[2001.12.27.01.23.26844]] |
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As the perspiration began to bead heavily on his forehead, he started thinking he might lose her. She slammed the door behind her, shaking the walls as well as his stability. His tears were unmistakable as they streamed down his work-worn face. It was another year, and yes, another Christmas. The usual hustle and bustle had once again caught everyone under its invisible spell. The lights, tinsel, ornaments--virtually every appearance of holiday décor had been meticulously displayed. If there was anything missing, it wasn't evident. This year however, James knew something was decidedly different. A loyal employee for the postal service, he had served over thirteen years as one its head supervisors. He was always dutifully on time, and seemed joyful at the thought of waking up every morning to be there. Every year around the time of Christmas, he looked forward to the glittery cards, celebratory dinners, and in-laws pulling into the driveway. Yet this year, the sights and sounds of the season just didn't feel complete. This year was unlike the others. As the alarm clock sprang to life, James slowly opened his eyes. The pre-sunrise rays filtered through dusty blinds, casting a golden shadow upon his face. With lackluster effort, he wiped the corners of his sleepy eyes. He looked beside himself to discover that something- or rather someone - was missing. His wife Lauren was gone. He was alone. He longed for her arms sprawled across his chest. He could remember nights when the rhythmic sounds of her breathing lulled him to sleep. Some mornings he would wake to her sweet, potent kisses and impromptu breakfasts in bed. She always left him feeling blissfully at peace at the thought of their relationship together. However, things had changed. Lately her image only brought him heartache and torrential tears. He thought things between them were fine until she began noticing that he started becoming distant. When they were newlyweds, he always told her he loved her before he went to work everyday. He would leave small romantic notes around the house where she would undoubtedly find them. She called him an "authentic romantic" because he seemed to leave nothing out whenever it came to capturing her entire heart. He loved her so much, always telling himself that he would never find ends to express his true admiration. After a long day at work that didn't feel like ending, James slowly pulled his majestically beaten up car into the driveway. The feeling hit him immediately, stealing his breath. He knew that something was terribly amiss, but couldn't place a finger on it. That was until he approached the front steps and saw the note. It was addressed simply: James -- I don't think I can take this. Do you really love me like you always claimed? I can't answer these questions alone, so the kids and I are away at my mothers' house. If you want to save this marriage, please call. You know the number. Lauren Weakly holding the note in his hand, he still felt the sting in her words. I don't think I can take this. He couldn't believe what he had just read. The tears began to well up in his eyes. He went in, still holding the note. He went to the phone and started to pick it up, but quickly put it back down. He couldn't talk like this. His throat was closing up. He went to the kitchen and retrieved a glass from the cupboard. Shakily he ran some tap water from the sink. He hurriedly drank it, feeling it sparsely alleviate the dryness in his throat. Feeling weak from fatigue, he dragged himself to bed. He would know what to do tomorrow. The next morning gave way to new sadness. He knew that he had to do something, drastic or not. He had to show her that his love had not subsided into nothingness, but rather the passionate embers continued to burn inside. But how? A man that usually had the answers, James' mind felt shallow for answers. He could just come right out and express his undying love for her, but that was definitely not enough. This had to be special. Something only an "authentic" romantic could think of. After all, he wasn't a jerk. She had always been certain that work would never interfere with their time together. And after over thirteen years of marriage, she had been sure of it. This year, things had become uncommonly pressing. The postal service had downsized over the season, giving James more hours to work. The financial situation was splendid, but he soon found out all too late that money could never sustain a true relationship. He just hoped he didn't find this out too late. Later that afternoon he made his way to her mothers' house. As determined as his mind was over the solution to his dilemma, he felt strangely awkward as he heard the wheels screech to a halt in the driveway. Knocking on the door became foreign to him. Maybe he was just dizzy inside from all the butterflies. His mother-in-law answered the door. She quickly relayed the message to Lauren that he had arrived. Hearing footsteps inside, his heart raced as he anticipated the look in her eyes. Those starlit blue eyes. She showed up at the door wearing sweats and puffy "Tweety" slippers. Just as he had remembered, she was radiant. Her hair flowed down to the small of her back, ending in a sea of curls. As he looked into her eyes, the moisture they had stored up was released in a flurry of emotive events. She cried as he held her in his arms. He whispered into her ear, "I'm sorry sweetheart. I'll always make time. Please forgive me." She looked at him again and knew that he was sincere as ever. Puffs of snowy air escaped as they kissed softly beneath the piercing blue skies. "There was a letter on my heart when I came here today. It said all I could have hoped for Christmas. Another year of loving you. You know I could love you forever, right?" "Forever?" she replied. He held her close. "Until death do us part is forever enough for me." |