Slamming the car door, you turn towards the house. A bitter cold wind catches you as you come around the frond of the car whipping your jacket open. Glancing back towards the drive, you notice that the snow has already begun to drift in and is covering your car tracks. Opening the back car door you pick up a duffel bag and a couple sacks of groceries. Closing that door, you again turn towards the house. The blowing snow stings your cheeks as you trudge up the steps to the front door. Deftly you open the front door and drop your duffel bag on the floor inside. Closing the door behind you, it is suddenly still.
Walking through the darkened hall you head towards the kitchen at the back of the house. The warmth of the house hitting you in soft waves. Setting the groceries on the counter in the dimly lit kitchen you quickly put away the perishables, leaving the can goods in the sacks on the counter. You remove your wet jacket and hang it on a peg by the back door. Stuffing your gloves in the pockets and then slipping off your shoes, you quietly leave the kitchen and head into the living room.
The house is peacefully quiet. As you enter the living room only the crackling of the fire and the distant howling of the wind outside the cabin disturbs the peace. Moving towards the fireplace you add a couple of logs to the fire. Leaning forwards slightly you rub your hands and hold them close to the flames. Glancing back at the couch, you notice me sleeping quietly, curled up at one end of the couch, an afghan draped over me and trailing on the floor. Smiling gently, you reposition the afghan and pad quietly into the kitchen.
Returning shortly, with a steaming cup of coffee, you sit quietly on the couch gazing intently into the fire. The orange flames lick and consume the logs, sizzling and snapping. Your mind wanders as you ponder life's intricacies. Reaching out your left hand you tuck the edge of the afghan under my feet and then rest your hand on my leg, finding comfort in feeling me next to you. You glance up as the window rattles. The wind driving the snow up against the pane makes the view almost non-existant. I move quietly, my eye's fluttering open for a moment. Slowly moving to a sitting position, I smile warmly at you.
"Hey! You're home!" Scooting towards you on the couch I pull the afghan up around my neck and snuggle in next to you. "How were the roads?"
Smiling softly, you move your arm and draw me into a hug. "Not so good. But I am home." Leaning back into the couch you continue to sip your coffee.
"Hmmm... is it still snowing?" I put my arm across your chest dragging the afghan with me. I gently press my ear against your chest and hug you.
"Yes, looks like were here for the duration." Placing the coffee mug on the end table next to the couch you hug me close, gently rubbing my back. "How was your day, Hon?"
"Pretty good... got everything done I'd hoped to finish and was just waiting for you to get home when I feel asleep."
Chuckling softly, your hand still on my back, you smile. "Well, I am glad to hear that." Pausing slightly you give me another hug. "How come you didn't just go to bed?"
Hugging you tightly, my face buried in your shirt, you hear my muffled voice. "Well, I wasn't going without you..." With a sigh of contentment I snuggle closer to you.
"Well, Hon, let's go now..." Leaning close to me you kiss my lips softly. Then you slowly stand and draw me and my afghan along with you. Taking my hand, we wander off to the west wing of the cabin.
M.B.Hall
December 1, 1997