Читать книгу Petals - Marti Eicholz - Страница 5

A New Start

Nor did the old home place stay the same. Ed and Edith felt at their age they should prepare for their future. The family farmhouse had rescued itself many times. Now it needed lots of loving care. The old place had history; the spirits echoed within the walls. Those memories of births, hugs, and laughter would go with them to their new place that had accessibility and ease of maintenance. Edith and Edward Turner built a new home.

Its most recognizable characteristic was the asymmetrical design. The “L” shape had a long horizontal facade that faced away from the factory. It hugged the ground and followed the contour of the land. It had a casual style, an open floor plan, light and airy, evoking a relaxing atmosphere. The wrap-around porch captured the view. Edith planted a small rose garden in the front. Two caring souls thinking of each other created the house with love.

As the seasons changed, as the Earth circled the sun, Ed, Edith, and Kenneth moved into their fresh new place. Kenneth graduated from high school. Ed and Kenneth accepted employment with the manufacturer of high quality, affordable, steel spring upholstered furniture.

Kenneth had immediate employment after graduation since his dream of becoming a basketball star died. His knees and legs could not support the strain, but he could bicycle over the hill to work every day.

He took pride in his work and his accomplishments. But most of all, he arrived early so he could have a warm good morning with the receptionist, Thelma.

Thelma had a shy look. On her porcelain skin was a light application of blush and her lips were just the right touch of pink. She dressed in a casually tailored suit and her hair was salon perfect. She had the air of being punctual. She poised her face with a smile and her manicured hand extended out to welcome you. This position suited her well.

Now involved in the furniture business Kenneth noticed his surroundings. The carefully designed reception area inspired confidence, watercolors graced the walls, current magazines rested on the square glass topped coffee table and the comfortable chairs were in complimentary brown, fawn, and baby blues with the neutral tan colored walls.

Kenneth could not help from thinking of the old farmhouse, now standing all alone, empty. He felt like no time had passed since he moved from that house, yet it seemed an eternity. He vowed that in his spare time he would fix it up, give it some attention, some tender loving care. Everything and everybody needed some so did his old home place.

Thelma’s good morning smile was one of happiness. It drew Kenneth in. This draw grew much as a spring flower opening. It seemed so real, genuinely sweet and with just the right touch of shyness. Her warmth rushed through him as a ray of sunshine.

Each morning Thelma anxiously waited for the door to open to gaze at the most wonderful eyes, mostly blue, but darken to grey. His smiling eyes shined with sincerity, pure emotion. In Thelma’s eyes his good morning arrival transformed him from a stranger to an employee to someone she wished to know.

Kenneth wakened early these days to walk the orchard. He stopped for a moment to admire the jewel of the garden, towering above with green leaves glimmering from the pristine dew. It was one special apple tree. This morning was not grey, but a soothing lavender and brilliant amber. As the colors merged into neon and peach, he picked the perfect luscious, red apple dangling in the branches from the jewel of the garden. It was for Thelma. All alone he giggled and voiced, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.”

On his arrival for work, he could be heard saying, “Good morning Thelma” as he handed her the luscious, red apple ready for savoring. She smiled. For a split second everything stopped. Their eyes and smiles met as one piercing through the bad in his life. He felt well again.

He also felt that Thelma always had a smile just waiting to be tempted out. He liked her. When she glanced up, he thought I do not have to smile, it just comes naturally. When she blushes ever so slightly, I imagine her being my girl.

The day came; Kenneth took a chance and invited Thelma to the movies.

“Good morning Thelma, would you go to the movies with me tonight?”

Kenneth saw something flicker in her eye he never wanted to die.

After work on that Friday night Kenneth and Thelma stopped for a burger and fries and headed for the movies. Movies on Friday nights became a regular date.

On Saturdays in the wonderland as Kenny and Miki used to call it, traffic came to a crawl, streets jammed with cars and the town parking lot full. Kenneth and Thelma shared the coveted walk he and Miki trod. They stopped for a special coffee and a light tender cinnamon scone to watch the hustle, the bustle of afternoon shoppers.

Every Sunday morning Kenneth accompanied Thelma for coffee and donuts before an early church service.

They never missed opening the day with a good morning. Not only did it include a smile, eyes locking but also a kiss and a hug. Each had a spring in their step and gladness in their heart to start the new day.

These events proved they enjoyed each other and were comfortable doing easy and uncomplicated things in life. Their simple times continued taking lunch breaks with a bag lunch and a walk through the woods behind the factory.

One lunch break as they were meandering through the woods, Thelma asked, “Have you had animals on your farm?”

Getting solemn Kenneth responded, 'Yes, when Miki and I were little my father had a farm full of animals. We would cry.'

My dad would say, “Why are you crying?”

I was speechless. All Miki could say was, “I think the animals are suffering. They have thoughts and feelings just like me.”

Miki convinced me that dad was using the animals more like digits in a bank balance. No one said another word. One day we came home from grade school and the animals were all gone. Thelma remained quiet while her insides were crying.

For weeks after work Kenneth painted the old house. When he and his parents moved, the furniture lay still, so it needed a good cleaning or re-upholstering. A re-upholstered activity sounded like something he could do if he found the right fabric and Thelma could help with that. They would select something from the hundreds of choices in the warehouse. That would be a great team project.

Kenneth hired a handyman to repair the windows and doors. The day he washed the windows the place opened. Sunshine entered and the new colors glowed. He felt the memory of his losses fading. He thought the pain is blowing right out of this old house a little at a time as I accomplish a task. The spirit of the place is coming alive. I can hear music and the laughter of children.

The world excited Thelma. She saw opportunities. She saw a life of good fun and good health. Kenneth paused thinking I think that is why I love her so much. She has everything I want. I idolize her.

Thelma’s junior year of high school her parents divorced and started new lives. When her mother was ready to leave town for her new family she said, “Thelma, you are a good artist. You will have a good life. I want you to have my car. When Ford brought out this Ford Taurus, it was groundbreaking for American cars. It is a good car and will serve you well. I have nothing else to give you.”

At that moment Thelma wanted to burst into tears and screams of being tortured. She thought my mother is leaving and she can’t say, “I love you. I will miss you. We will keep in touch and see each other often.” There were no hugs.

Thelma contained herself and looked only at the Ford Taurus that was not the usual chrome-bumper hard-edged, three-box sedan. Ford streamlined the Taurus and made it slick.

When Thelma heard of the furniture manufacturing company coming to the area, she applied for a job. After the first interview, they granted her a position. Thelma quit school, pursued this job opportunity, got a two-room furnished apartment and enrolled in art classes. Thelma felt blessed. She had no desire to live with her dad and his new family. She had no interest in high school, except for her art class. For once she could breathe. She was free and on her own. Opportunities were just waiting for her to grab.

Today Thelma and Kenneth walked the wonderland hand in hand. She felt so relaxed. She glanced at Kenny; he seemed relaxed. She thought we care for each other. We are comfortable being together. It is so natural.

The spring sunshine reflected in their eyes and in their smiles, bathing the entire world in a warm glow.

Feeling this special moment of togetherness, Kenneth turned to Thelma, “Let’s get married.”

This did not surprise her, nor did it stun. She felt the moment and reacted quickly, “When?”

As they hugged Kenneth whispered, “We’ll talk about it. Together we will make it happen soon.”

There was an explosion in her brain, hundreds of ideas buzzed, and adventurous paths awaited their feet. Whatever was ahead could be a challenge, there could be tears, but it was an adventure she would take. So, she turned on the ignition of her car and smiled.

At work in the rose garden Edith and Edward glanced up as Thelma approached in her Ford Taurus to drop off Kenneth. Everyone looked pleased to see each other.

With excitement Edith introduced herself and Edward to Thelma, “We’re so happy to meet you. Kenneth told us he had a special friend.”

Kenneth piped up, “I believe I smell apple pie.”

“Come join us for a piece. It will give us a chance to chat.” So it was. The four of them shared apple pie topped with a glob of pecan ice cream with a cup of coffee. They not only shared treats, but each other with tons of smiles, laughter, and thankfulness.

Left alone Edith turned to Edward, “This was a perfect day. Kenneth and Thelma make a perfect match.”

Edward added, “Yes, they are a team. I now know why our son is restoring the old house. Everything will be all right.” After hugs they cleared the table.

Kenneth had an extra bounce in his step. He walked faster, talked faster, and ate faster. He had an agenda.

When Thelma opened her eyes, she rose and stretched voicing, “Every fiber of my being vibrates with anticipation of our union, Kenneth and me.”

They sunbathed this special day in a warm glow. Kenneth and Thelma had a good feeling. Nothing that felt this right could go wrong. It just could not.

This marriage was something beautiful, two hearts beating as one. She was everything he ever wanted. And he was everything she ever wished for. This day signified an opening rose with petals ready to unfold.

Kenneth and Thelma dressed in casual clothing stood at the foot of the towering jewel of the apple orchard with their witness, Jack, the friend, driver, and survivor of the car crash. The Justice of the Peace performed a civil ceremony.

Kenneth and Thelma eloped in the apple orchard. Scattered deep red rose petals, nature’s confetti lovingly decorated the entry of the restored old house. Kenneth placed rose buds waiting their opening strategically throughout the house as reminders of their lives unfolding. The house looked so luscious, happy, and festive.

Kenneth lifted his bride and cradled her over the threshold, gently placing her on a welcoming bed.

He surprised Thelma with a warm bubble bath laced with rose petals. Together they let their fingers touch the perfumed “scales” holding them briefly and taking in the aroma before letting them tumble from their hands back to the bubbles. What a way to express your deepest affection for that special someone. They were each other’s special someone.

The moment Edith and Edward saw the Ford Taurus parked in the drive at the old house somehow, they knew. All the puzzle pieces came together. Edith baked a cake and Edward placed it on the dining table of the old house. He noticed a stillness; the house was a little quiet, but not lonely nor did the solemn walls revive memories of the losses encountered in a previous time. He sensed an aura of peace.

Life together fell into a natural flow seemingly effortless with a fluid grace. They bicycled to and from work and shared a bag lunch always with an apple from the orchard and a walk through the woods. After work, they had a shower and a nap then supper. Kenneth shopped, cleaned, and did laundry. Kenneth assisted his father with farm chores.

Thelma attended art classes three nights a week. Kenneth would say, “Thelma’s art is as much a part of her as her smile. Her eyes take in more details than the average person.”

Yes, Thelma saw the world as a beautiful array of colors and shapes.

She decorated their walls with her beautiful flower art. The flowers were white, and the yellow nectar looked sweet. The petals fanned widely over the canvas.

One day Edith said, “Sometimes when I pass Thelma’s flower art, I think I detect a fragrance.”

Saturday Thelma would set up her easel on one corner of the wonderland. Strolling shoppers stopped and marveled at her work with an occasional purchase, bringing a smile to both their faces. Kenneth was proud of Thelma and her creative abilities.

They found their routine comfortable until one morning Thelma discovered a disturbance.