The Door She Opened
The rustic door looked intimidating to Hester. Its deep brown frame beckoned her in while the golden knob sneered at her. It reflected the horrible sin that she was about to reveal. She was fighting a battle, a battle that would start or end with this door. She sighed as she turned away from the door. She found herself staring at the flames in the fire place hungrily leaping at her. She remembered the first time they meet, in front of this same fireplace. She was staring into the flame as if wishing it could consume her completely instead of continuing to drown in her pit of loneliness. In reality her husband has only been away from her for a while but it felt like forever. She couldn't shake the feeling that this pit of loneliness would never end.
"Ms. Prynne?"
She turned to face the man who had spoken to her.
"Oh Good Evening"
He stared down at her in bewilderment. He has seen Hester many times around town but this is the first time he saw her looking so depressed.
"Is there something the matter Ms. Prynne?"
Hester stared at him for a moment before turning back to the flames.
"Reverend Wilson always said that even when you're all alone in the world God will be there for you. I wonder where he is now." She laughed gently before turning back to him. "I apologize, you was just about to close the church for the day right?"
He smiled kindly as he responded "It's quite all right Ms. Prynne. You may stay as long as you like"
"Thank you, would you care to join me?"
He hesitated for a moment before sitting next to her.
Hester couldn't help but notice the man before her. She looked to his white, lofty and impending brow to his brown melancholy eyes. She looked down to his mouth which usually showed nervous sensibility and a vast power of self-restraint. But right now at this very moment Hester could only see fiery passion and warmth. She turned back to the fire and feed her thoughts to it.
"What a beautiful color it is"
He nodded in agreement
"A wonderful shade of Vermilion orange"
"Vermillion orange?" Hester stared thoughtfully at the fire "I was thinking more of a scarlet red"
He chuckled
"Perhaps you're right." He said before turning to Hester.
"Hester, everyone gets lonely. You may feel alone now but if it helps I will always be here for you."
Hester stared in shock at his kind words. The feelings she tried so hard to suppress was on the vague of coming out. At that moment the fire flicked angrily blowing a single ember onto Hester hand.
Hester yelped in pain
"Are you alright Hester?" He said as he cupped her injured hand. "Let me see" He brushed his fingers against Hester small bruise.
"You have a slight burn but nothing to serious." He sighed in relief "I guess that's what we get for sitting so close to the fire. We should put some water on it." He gently helped Hester up as he led her to his office.
Today Hester was in front of this very office once again, but the circumstances would be different this time. Today she will tell him about the sinful pure child that was growing inside her, the living proof of that night.
She turned back to that old door. As she reached out for the golden knob she saw the pink scar left from that scarlet ember.
