Chapter 125 A leap
After breakfast, the day slowly dragged on. The living room was illuminated by the rising sun as it passed through the large windows.
With the subtle aroma of toast and coffee the air was serene. Fred read a newspaper while seated on the couch.
He still had untidy hair and his glasses were positioned low on his nose. His expression was calm.
Using a towel to wipe her hands, Anabelle left the kitchen.
“When you read you always look so serious,” she remarked.
He raised his head.
“Do I?” He asked
“Yes,” she replied. “As if missing a word could mean the end of the world.”
He grinned slightly.
“Old customs” he said.
She took a seat next to him and rested her shoulder on the couch.
“What are you reading anyway?” She asked.
“Business section.” He said “They’re writing about the downtown merger of a new company.”
“Boring,” she said.
“Right on point” he said.
“Still dull,” she said.
Folding the paper he laughed.
“What would you prefer to read?” He asked
“Something with images” she uttered.
He was amused.
“Obviously,” he replied. “You and your photos.”
With a smile she turned to face the window.
“What a lovely day it is. We ought to go outside.” She said
His head cocked.
“Outside?” he inquired. “You mean the scary world that's outside the front door?”
She laughed and said “Yes. That particular one.”
“Do I need sunscreen for that?” He joked
“First you need shoes,” she said.
He slowly got to his feet.
“Bossy.” He joked
“Organized” she remarked.
Grinning, he walked over to his shoes. They entered the garden a few minutes later. The air smelled fresh and the grass felt nice underfoot.
With their wings flapping in the sunlight birds soared low over the hedge.
“I adore mornings like this,” she remarked.
After that they didn't say much as they strolled along the garden path. The rustle of leaves blended with the sound of their footsteps.
She eventually paused and turned to gaze at the flowers by the fence.
“They’re stunning.” She said
Fred ducked down next to her.
“You like lilies?” he inquired.
“Yes” she acknowledged. “They make me miss home.”
Silently he gazed at her.
“You don’t talk about home very often,” he remarked.
She nodded. “I know.”
He didn’t press harder.
She glanced at him and gave him a small smile. The sun grew brighter and they walked back to the apartment.
Fred opened the windows while Anabelle prepared iced tea inside.
“Your smile has increased recently” he remarked.
“I'm lighter,” she remarked.
“That is good,” he said.
Two glasses of tea were filled by her.
“I suppose I’m discovering a new rhythm.” She said
“That’s good,” he said.
They sipped their tea together once more. Calm and steady the clock ticked away on the wall.
Anabelle sat in the study later in the afternoon at her little desk. Her laptop was open and papers were arranged in front of her.
She pushed back her hair which had come loose from the bun while she typed. Fred silently observed from the door.
“You’re working again,”he remarked.
She did not raise her gaze.
“I need to.” She muttered
“On a Saturday too?” he inquired.
“Yes,” she replied.
A faint smile came to his face. He entered and rested his head on the desk.
“Do you truly love what you do?” he inquired.
She glanced at him after pausing her typing.
“Yes,” she said. “It belongs to me. My effort, my work and my space. I feel in control because of it.”
He nodded.
“I understand,” he said.
She cocked her head. “Do you?”
“Yes. Everyone needs something that belongs to them.” He said
She gave a slight grin.
“Exactly,” she replied.
He lowered his gaze to the documents. “What are you working on?”
“A piece” she said.
“That sounds important.” He said
“It is,” she affirmed. “Can you make me coffee?”
He smiled.
“Coming right up” he said
Anabelle’s fingers moved purposefully as she typed rapidly while he was away. The keys made a consistent sound.
Her mind was clear and focused.
Fred returned with the coffee and she accepted the cup with a smileAs the hours went by she worked and he read close by.
Although the house was silent it was alive with soft living noises such as the faint clink of a spoon against a cup, the click of keys and the turning of pages
When evening arrived the room was bathed in a golden glow.
Anabelle reclined in her chair and stretched.
“Done.”she declared.
Fred lifted his head.
“Done?” he asked
She smiled and replied “Yes. At last.”
He got up and walked over to her. “You deserve to eat dinner,” he said.
She gave a smile. “Are you cooking?”
“Yea, I will be your chef for today,” he said.
The two of them went to the kitchen.
The dinner was simple but delicious. Together they dined by the window while the sky turned pink. In silence Anabelle gazed at him.
“You make things easy.” She said
“I like easy. It feels good after all the hardship.” He replied
Gradually she nodded. “It does.”
All around them the night grew gentle and serene. Outside the world was turning into stars.
With a smile Anabelle put her chin on her hand. “This feels good. I don’t want it to end.”
He touched her hand as he reached across the table.
“It won’t” he stated.