Chapter 12: I should be grateful for these precious moments we have together…
“Are you happy?” he asked, as he took my hands and kissed the ring. “You are in this for the long haul, I guess you know.”
He stared right into my eyes as he spoke. Our eyes connected — as if we had exchanged a telepathic message from his soul to mine — “we will love each other forever!”
Dinner was almost a ritual — a ceremony — like a beautiful violin instrumental. We talked and laughed, making ourselves part of the symphony. When we had finished our dinner and arose to leave, the song ended — but I knew that the melody would linger on in our hearts ‘til the end of time.
The fireplace had been lit in our room and welcomed us with the warmth of a home away from home. The bed had been turned down, the drapes drawn and a gift basket delivered during our absence. A bottle of champagne cooled inside an ice bucket. Two champagne glasses set side by side on a silver tray.
Bob was all smiles. “That Clayton is a great guy. How generous of him to do all this for us. His parents are in the oil business and wealthy as all get out, .but you would never know it. He is just a down-to-earth guy. Just one of the boys. I had no idea that he would give us such a great homecoming. You’d like him, Laurel. Someday you’ll have to meet him
“I’d like that. But, right now I’d like to get into something comfortable and maybe take a shower?” I gave him a smile and a wink and he took the hint.
It didn’t take me long to step out of my clothes. Bob took a little longer. I watched as he carefully hung up his uniform and rolled up his underwear and socks. At the sound of his dog tags hitting the top of the dresser, my heart skipped a few beats and a damp cloud seemed to pass through the room. “He will never belong to me until those dog tags and all reminders of the military are tucked away and out of sight forever,” I thought.
It was exciting to step into the shower and to be close to Bob again. Perhaps we could wash away all thoughts of the war and our pending separation like the soap suds that were spiraling down the drain.
“This is almost like being married,” I heard myself saying. “Why can’t this last forever? Why must there be a war? Let’s just run away to some strange land and never come back….”
“What are you saying, Laurel? You’re overlooking the consequences. There will be a time for us,” and he held me close to him, which calmed the trembling that was running from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. Once again I felt secure in knowing that he loved me.
“I’m sorry, Bob,” I’m a bit sensitive tonight. It was immature of me to become unglued. I know I should be grateful for these precious moments we have together but, in my heart, I realize that the time will pass all too swiftly and you will be gone again….maybe for a very long time. Hold me in your arms tonight, dear soldier boy, and promise me you will be here in the morning. I couldn’t bear to awaken and find this all has been a dream.”
