“It is difficult to know at what moment love begins; it is less difficult to know that it has begun.” Longfellow
The following morning, the thunderstorm remained in full force. Fancy woke up early. It took a minute for her to recall last night’s events. The party…Winston…
She popped up when she remembered he was a guest in her home. Dressing and grooming herself, she composed her thoughts and then exited her bedroom.
In the kitchen she began preparing breakfast. The night before she had laid out towels and a toothbrush in the guest bathroom. She hoped his sleep was pleasant.
While making breakfast and listening to the rain as it continued pounding on her rooftop, she began singing. “Open the floodgates of heaven…let it rain,” by Bishop Paul Morton.
“You have a beautiful voice,” he said, startling her as he entered the kitchen.
“Thank you,” she said. “How did you rest?”
“Great. It’s still coming down out there, huh?”
“Yeah, it is. Would you like some coffee?”
“Yes, thank you. I can fix it. Just tell me which direction,” he said, walking in her direction.
“Everything is over there at the coffee station. See,” she said and pointed to her left at the coffee maker. Coffee mugs, cream, sugar, sweetener, everything needed to make coffee lined the area.
“Would you like a cup?” he offered as he walked over to the counter and poured himself a cup.
“No, I’ve had my one cup limit already.” She giggled.
“I can drink coffee all day,” he said.
“How do you like your eggs?” she asked.
“Soft scrambled.”
“Okay, have a seat in the dining room and I’ll be there in a minute.”
“Let me help you,” he said as he took a swallow of the hot brew before placing the cup on the island counter. He walked over and stood next to Fancy, watching her place food from the skillets and pots into bowls and plates. “What can I do?”
“You can take the food into the dining room.”
“Gotcha.” Winston carried plates of food to the dining room. “All this for the two of us?”
“Yep. I’m used to making enough for three hungry men, and I haven’t learned how to downsize yet. I hope you have a big appetite.”
“Oh, no worries about that. I do. It looks and smells delicious.”
“No work on the weekends?” she asked as they returned to the kitchen, and Fancy passed him a pitcher of orange juice and a hot/cold container she’d filled with coffee.
The two of them sat at the table and like before, Winston prayed over the food before they began fixing their individual plates. Winston piled his plate with some of everything Fancy had cooked.
The dining room became quiet for several seconds while they indulged in the hearty breakfast.
By ten o’clock the rain had stopped and gave way to a cloudy sky.
“I guess I’ll get outta here.”
“I enjoyed the company. I’m used to having someone in the house. This house may be smaller, but I still haven’t gotten used to living completely alone.”
“I’m glad I could be here to keep you company,” Winston said. “Come on, walk me to the door.” He gently took hold of her hand and led her up the hallway into the foyer. They stopped at her door and Winston looked down at her. His gaze traveled the course of her face, searching her eyes. She couldn’t deny the excitement building inside. She could feel his heart thudding against her own as his mouth hungrily moved over hers, parting her lips.
This is what she needed. As much as she wanted to tell herself no her body screamed yes as Winston gathered her against him.
He kissed her and without stopping walked her backwards until they were inside her bedroom. She looked up at him as she curled into the curve of his body. Yes, one step closer.