January 30
Rosemary blinked twice as she heard Lee's Model T rumble down the lane and stop in front of the house. After one last purr, the engine quieted and she heard Lee's steps fall on the front porch. With a twist of the doorknob, Lee peered in, obviously quite unsure of what he would see. He gave her a small smile before entering and proceeded to hang his hat and red tartan jacket on the coatrack.
She gripped her hands together, frozen nearly in the same spot as when he left. All that reminiscing had exhausted her. But now, now the real work came. Explaining why she'd kept this all a secret for so long from the man she claimed was her best friend. Would he ever forgive her?
Lee moved from the coatrack and turned his warm eyes onto hers. That was a good sign, was it not? She wouldn't blame him if he came home distraught, or even downright angry that she had kept all this from him. But instead, he came to her and pulled her to his strong, warm chest. She shuddered as he began to stroke her hair with his strong, yet soft hands. She was trying to be so brave, but here, with his touch upon her, she felt the silent tears well up and fall down her cheeks, along with it pieces of the wall that she had kept erect between them for so long.
Lee, patient as he was kind, was sure to have his questions, but for the time being, he just let her weep into his arms, clearing her heart of the pains that had stayed lodged there for so many years. Finally, she straightened and dried her tears.
"I am so sorry about earlier… that it all blew up like that." She accepted the handkerchief he held out to her.
Lee smiled and lifted a hand to dry one last, lingering tear. "It was quite an explosion."
She laughed and swiped at her dripping nose with a handkerchief. "That it was. We have a lot to talk about…" She let the words die on her tongue. She wasn't quite ready. But ready or not, it was time. Past time.
"We do have a lot to talk about. And I think at the right time, it will be healing for the both of us. But for the present moment, I can think of something you need more than words."
She looked at him with questioning eyes.
He pointed to a basket resting near the front door. "Supper."
She smiled at his thoughtfulness. It had been quite a time since she'd last eaten and Lee… well, he was practically starved not having a full meal since his return.
He walked over to the basket and hoisted it up, lifting the corner of the towel in the process.
"Mmmm… boy!" He said as he sniffed. "Abigail's split pea soup, fresh baked bread, and a slice of apple pie. How does that sound?"
It sounded heavenly. But how could she partake of such a wonderful meal when she had her past so heavily weighing on her insides?
"I'm not sure I have much of an appetite after—" her stomach audibly rumbled disputing her claim.
"Your stomach begs to differ, my dear." Lee placed the basket on the table and came near, holding his hand out to her. "Come now, Princess. We will get you a meal fit for a queen."
She considered his hand for a moment and then reached out and took it, knowing she was not just accepting supper with him, but his invite to deeper communion with him. She sure didn't deserve his kindness and devotion. How had she gotten so lucky? The tears stung the back of her eyes as the answer sprung from deep inside of her. It wasn't luck… He was a blessing, an undeserved gift God had put in her life. She would never take this gift for granted again, and just as soon as she was capable, she'd put everything in the past and restart anew, this time not holding anything back.