Michael took Friday off of work and we drove into the countryside. The weather was warm for November, the sun pale, but high in the blue morning sky. Light mist crawled along the hills and moors, old trees in beautiful colors waved us "hello" and "goodbye" as we sped down the road past them. I could hear birds singing a tune of remembrance. What do birds remember? Spring, mostly. The scents, shades and the light of the season. They long for it, just like a heart longs for happiness and love. Still, their song is always beautiful. So I kept on smiling, as the "hymn" of birds and trees followed us along our path.
The radio in the car, an old black Volvo that has seen more then it should, but Michael loves as a child, was on and the song playing was "Kern River" by Emmylou Harris. I couldn't believe my ears, when it came on the air. It's been a favorite of both me and Michael for a long time now and we couldn't help, but smile at each other as Ms. Harris sang her heart out in lyrics that told of the tragedy of loosing someone you love to the cold waters of the mighty Kern river. The song itself is much older then this version, of course. It was originally written and recorded by Merle Haggard, who is a favorite of Michael's dad and his mum. They both love country music and have danced together to almost all of the old classics of Johnny Cash and June Carter.
I remember dancing with Michael one night, while "Kern River" was coming off the stereo. His hands came to rest on my waist, as I wrapped my arms around his neck and leaned into his body, placing my head on his chest, so that the rhythm of his heart might be the music that made my own heart dance, as my body moved to Emmylou Harris' voice. I could recall Michael bending down and whispering sweet words in my ear, while the minutes flew by and song after song came on and then faded into the background. His body flawlessly moved with mine, as if we had melted into each other... Had become one person. At one point I closed my eyes, so that the room, and the candles, and the flowers on the table would all disappear and the only thing left would be the music, the smell of incense and the feel of Michael's body. My heart pounded in my chest and my thoughts were scattered like the wind. I left myself go in the rhythm, the emotion... The passion.
Then Michael brushed his lips over mine, the barest of kisses, and I invited him closer. I parted my lips...
But that was then and this is now. I peaked at my sweetheart from the corner of my eye and saw him looking as distracted and carried away as I'd been only a moment ago. Then his lips curled into a smile and I felt sure that he was recalling the same night that had popped in my mind, the same dance. The gentle caresses of two lovers coming together.
I reached out and buried my fingers into his soft blond hair. His expression never changed, but the glint in his eyes was enough. That small touch was enough. I was enough for him. And that's all that matters in the end, right?
We reached our destination in the early afternoon hours - a small "Bed & Breakfast" off the road, where we'd stayed once before - and Michael carried our bag in the room he'd booked us in. As he went to take a shower before we headed out for a late lunch, I took the time to change my high-heels into something more practical and to check my e-mail on Michael's laptop. Surprisingly, I had only one message: by an after builders cleaning company that I'd contacted the previous day to check on their availability and fees. Their reply was polite and mannerly, and completely satisfying to my tastes. Which, to be honest, was surprising, as the company was suggested to me by none other, but Miss Picksby herself! Who knew that this woman could actually be helpful, when she wanted to?!
A small smile graced my lips. People could surprise you in ways unimaginable and unforeseen. Now I just had to tell Michael that we've found a nice company to help us with the domestic cleaning and our get away-weekend could officially start! We were alone, out of London, and there was a bright sun outside...
By the time Michael came out of the shower, I'd already put on something more comfortable and was waiting for him. One look at his face and I couldn't help, but burst out laughing.
If you'd seen his expression in that moment, you'd have laughed as well. What came up next, though...
That was something special.
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