A Slice Of Life
Chapter 9
The front of the little cottage faces a quiet street. The neighboring cottages on either side of theirs are far enough away to give them the feeling that they are alone. They walk up a few steps to the front porch which wraps around to the deck out back. They unlock the front door and step into a small entry hall. Off to the right is another hall that leads to a full size bathroom that sits between two bedrooms. There is a master bedroom with a king size bed. The sliding glass door that exits to the back deck gives them a full view of the ocean. The second bedroom is smaller and sits at the street side of the house. In the wall opposite the bathroom is a closet that holds a small apartment size washer and dryer.
Off to the other side of the entry way sits a fair size open kitchen/dining room combo. The kitchen is fully equipped with all new appliances. A breakfast bar separates the kitchen from the small dining area. The fabric on the three tall stools that sit at the breakfast bar match that of the chairs that surround the dining room table. Just past the dining area is the living room. Against the dining room side wall is a large couch that faces a gas powered fireplace. There is a plush easy chair with a matching ottoman next to it.
The house is decorated in shades of light tan, with ocean blues and greens throughout. On one wall sits an anchor made of driftwood and draped in an old piece of fisherman's netting. On the wall in back of the couch hangs a tin sculpture made to look like a school of fish casually swimming along. There is a large picture window at the far end of the living room that looks out onto the ocean. Next to that sits a sliding glass door that opens up to the back deck. Stepping out on to the deck there is a small, round table with four chairs and an umbrella that sticks up from its center. Two Adirondack chairs and lounge chair face the ocean.
They sit in the Adirondack chairs for a while taking in the ocean that is spread out before them. The waves are small but constant as they break onto the sand. The sound is intoxicating, relaxing them almost instantaneously. Arnold reaches out and holds her hand as they sit, comfortable in each other's silence. Helga gives out a big yawn and finds it hard to keep her eyes open. Arnold notices this and gives her a nudge.
"Hey," he says, getting her attention. "You look like you need a nap."
Through another yawn Helga says, "Yeah, it's been a long morning, I think I could do with a short cat nap."
Standing, Arnold grabs Helga's hands, helping her up. "Tell ya what, why don't I run into town and get us a few supplies while you take a nap. I shouldn't be but an hour or so. Then when I get back we can explore the town or something."
Helga kisses his cheek, "I think I'll take the 'or something'".
"You would." He says as they head back inside.
Tucking her in to bed he kisses her forehead and promises not to be too long. She is asleep before he's even left the house.
He walks the half a mile to the fish and chips stand where they had left their car. Getting in he slowly drives around the small town getting his bearings. He finds a drug store and remembers what the doctor said about Helga's blood pressure and stops in to pick up an at home monitor. He finds one that looks pretty simple to use then also picks up a small notebook to go along with it.
After the drug store he hits up the town's only supermarket for the rest of their supplies. An hour later he is back at the house just as promised.
He walks into the bedroom and finds her just where he left her. She's rolled to one side now, facing the window that looks out to the ocean, the extra pillow from the bed has been placed under her belly for support. He looks at her face and watches her as she sleeps. She looks almost angelic to him and he finds himself wanting her, right there, right now.
"God, what is this hold she has over me?" He thinks to himself as he pulls his shirt up over his head. Standing bare chested, still looking down at her, his breathing becomes heavier and all of a sudden his mere desire has turned in to an uncontrolled urgency. Tearing off the rest of his clothes he slips under the covers coming up behind her. His one elbow supports him as his other hand runs up and down her hip before sliding up under her dress. He runs his hand over their baby that lies protected inside of her. He's glad little Arnelga won't be able to see what he's about to do to her. He starts kissing her neck as his hand wanders up to her breasts. They are swollen from being pregnant and very sensitive, so the slightest touch from him is enough to awaken her. Without opening her eyes she grinds back into him.
"Mmmm," She says, "It must be Arnoldo the Great come to show me some of his magic. I see you brought your wand with you this time."
"Yes, and a very powerful wand it is." He lets his tongue slide up and down her neck as he slips off her dress.
"Oh yeah? Elder wood?" She asks through a smile.
"No." He says as he unhooks her bra. "Cherry. Thirteen inches, with a Unicorn hair core."
She laughs at the description. "Thirteen inches? Isn't that a bit of an exaggeration?"
He holds her closer to him as he slips off her, as she calls them, 'preggo granny panties'. "Maybe, but not by much."
"I just have one question."
"Yes?" He breathes in her ear.
"Why Neville's wand?"
"Why not? We all know he's the real hero of the story." He bites her shoulder causing her to let out a surprised gasp.
He pushes against her, his voice getting small and persuasive. "Aren't you going to let me in?"
"I don't know," She teases, "What's the magic word?"
He leans in close, his lips touching her ear, and whispers, "Alohomora."
With a laugh she unlocks the gate, allowing him in to her castle.
An hour later Helga sits at one of the tall bar stools as Arnold fixes them a dinner of poached salmon with red potatoes and wild rice. She's fumbling with the blood pressure monitor that Arnold had picked up at the drug store.
She holds the part that goes around her arm up, swinging it in a circle. "How often am I supposed to use this thing again?"
"Three times a day. And I bought a little notebook for keeping track of the readings too."
"Ugh, what a pain in the butt."
"Yeah, well, it's either that or complete bed rest and I know you don't want that, so buck up and don't complain."
She sticks her tongue out at him as she throws the arm cuff back onto the counter. She takes in a deep breath smelling the food Arnold is cooking.
"Man, you're not only magic in the bedroom, you're pretty good in the kitchen too. It's a good thing one of us can cook."
"You're coming along and getting better, notwithstanding your last dinner, that is."
"Hey! I put my heart and soul into that dinner. It just happened to get away from me."
"Sure, sure." He says while handing her some silverware and napkins. "Now, make yourself useful and set the table."
She slides off the bar stool and arranges the napkins and silverware at their seats. She sits down and speaks in her queenly voice.
"I'm ready for my meal now. How much longer must I wait?"
"It's almost ready," He replies, "just keep your panties on. Oh, wait, I forgot. I charmed them off you, so you can't."
"Very funny." She scoffs.
Just then the timer goes off, signaling Arnold to check on the salmon.
"Ahhh, it's looking good, just a few more minutes." He says as he pokes at the fish with a fork.
The smell of the fish makes Helga's stomach rumble. "I'mmmmm soooo hangry!" She cries.
Arnold walks to the table with a bowl of salad and some fresh bread.
"Here, we can start with this while we wait for the salmon to finish."
Helga grabs some bread, smothering it in butter and takes a huge bite. "Ohmygodthisissogood!" she says with her mouth full.
"Geez, didn't your parents teach you any manners?"
"No." She says, "I was raised in a barn, we all had to fend for ourselves, it was eat or be eaten."
"Riiight. You forget, we grew up together. I admit, your bedroom may have been a pig sty, but your house was far from being a barn."
"A pig sty! Heh, you never complained about my room whenever you came sneaking through my window at night."
"That's because I had other things on my mind."
"I'm still amazed that trellis you'd climb to get into my window never broke. You could have broken your neck."
"Yeah, well, it was worth the risk." He said, giving her a quick wink.
Once dinner was over Arnold insisted that Helga should rest as he cleans up. She walks out to the back deck and sits on the steps that lead down to the sand. The sun hangs low in the sky working its way down towards the horizon. Arnold finally joins her and they sit watching the sunset together.
"There's nothing like a beautiful beach sunset for helping one to forget their troubles." Helga says as she leans against Arnold.
"I know what you mean. Well, you just keep working on becoming a rich and famous author then someday we can buy a fancy house on some secluded beach somewhere. We can watch the sun set over the ocean every night."
She places a hand on his knee and gives it a squeeze. "Okay, I'll get right on that. Give me a week and I'll have us rolling in the dough."
The get up and walk down to the water. The tide is low so they are able to walk further out then they could earlier. The receding tide has uncovered a multitude of shells and rocks that were previously hidden. Helga spies a heart shaped rock and tries to bend down to get it. Seeing her struggle Arnold steps in and picks it up.
"Well, well, look at what I found." He says, holding the rock just out of her reach.
"Hey, I saw it first!" Helga says, reaching out for it.
Arnold raises his hand, holding it above her head. She stretches for it but it's no use, he's just too tall.
"There used to be a time when you were shorter than me, you'd never have been able to get away with this back in the day."
"That's what happens when you eat your vegetables." He says.
"Fine, keep the stupid old rock." She says petulantly, crossing her arms in front of her. "I didn't really want it anyway."
"Okay, I think I will keep it." He puts it in his pocket for safe keeping and picks up a perfectly formed seashell. It's conical in shape, white and bumpy on the outside with a smooth, pink interior. It starts with a small peak over a rounded top that narrows down to a point. It's about half the size of Helga's palm. He holds it up to his ear and listens intently.
"Ohhh, what do you hear?" She asks playfully.
"Shhh, it's the sound of the sea. It beckons to me."
"I'd be careful if I were you." She warns, "It could be the call of the Siren. They go for handsome guys you know."
"I – I can't resist." He says as he turns to walk out into the water."
"No!" She yells, "You must resist! If they get their hands on you they'll turn you in to sea foam!"
"If there were only something to break their spell." He talks as if he's in a trance.
"I will save you!" She says, taking the shell from his hand and grabbing the collar of his shirt. She pulls him to her and plants her lips on his.
He kisses her back as he giggles, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close.
She pulls back looking him in the eye. "Did it work? Are the voices gone?"
He tilts his head to one side as if listening for a sound. "I think so. That was close. Thank you, I was afraid I was a goner there for a minute."
Helga puffs out her chest and points her thumb at herself. "Naw, ain't no Si-reens gonna take my man away from me, no siree, not this Helga G. Shortman!"
Arnold smiles and pulls her in to a hug. "My hero."
As he holds her he notices her starting to shiver.
"Hey, we'd better get you back up to the house and warm you up, you're shivering."
Reluctantly she agrees and they walk hand in hand back to the little beach house. It's dark now and they use the light of the moon to guide their path.
Once inside they sit wrapped up in a blanket together in front of the gas powered fireplace, mugs of hot chocolate in hand.
"You know," She says, "This day started off really horribly but thanks to you I just couldn't have asked for a better ending. I still can't believe we're here, I mean I still can't figure out how you were able to arrange all of this on the spur of the moment like you did. Thank you."
He stares into her eyes then places a gentle kiss on her forehead. "That's because you keep forgetting, I am Arnoldo the Great, purveyor of making all your dreams come true."
The warmth from the fireplace, combined with a big dinner and evening stroll, has made her tired. She tries to stifle a big yawn.
He gets up and holds his hands out to her. "Come on, its past Arnelga's bedtime."
Wanting to stay, but too tired to put up a fight she relents and lets him help her up.
"Just out of curiosity," she says as they head to the bedroom, "do you still happen to have your wand with you?"
Placing his arm around her the corners of his mouth turn up in a small smile. "I never leave home without it."