Part 590
Howie and Sarah decided to walk to the house enjoying the fresh fall air and the changing leaves. Holding hands as they walked, they talked about their plans for their down-time before heading to Japan. Howie also told her that his parents would be bringing Jesse to Virginia on Friday. It was his every intention for this to be their day away from the world since it had been forever and Howie was anxious to just reconnect.
Reaching the house, Sarah looked at her watch. “’D’, its past noon. Shouldn’t she be here by now?”
“She’s probably just running late. Come on. I have the keys,” he said leading her up the steps.
Sarah looked out across the field beside the house towards the pond as Howie unlocked the door. As she stood there, her thoughts drifted to all the good times she’d had here growing up.
Howie called her but when she didn’t answer, he moved over to her. Standing off just a little, he watched as she caressed her stomach. He could tell she was a million miles away but when he saw the glistening moisture in her eyes, he moved closer.
Reaching out, he brushed her hair back. “’Angel’, are you okay?” he asked softly.
Sarah turned into his hand so that he cupped her cheek. “I’m fine…just a lot of memories.”
With his thumb, he stroked her cheek. “Good ones?”
“Always when I’m here. This is the one place I can share with you that isn’t tainted by memories of Russell.”
“Wanna sit out here for a while?”
“Do you mind?”
“No, not at all.”
Howie led Sarah to the swing, one like they’d had in the Keys when they got married, and sat down. He pulled her down beside him and she snuggled into her ‘safe spot’ resting her hand on his stomach. He looked down at her, watching as she slipped into her memories once more. He wanted so much to be there with her but he simply held her knowing that when she was ready to talk, she would.
After almost half an hour later, Sarah let out a soft sigh and wiped her eyes. “What time is it, ‘D’?”
“Almost one. Are you hungry?”
“Sorta. I wonder where Lorraine is?”
“She’s not coming, ‘Angel’.”
Sarah looked up to see the twinkle in his eyes. “What are you up to, Howard?”
“I’ve TOLD you 5’ 6”!!”
“Ewww…stop it!” she chided.
Howie laughed, “Okay, okay!! Actually, I thought you’d NEVER ask. Come with me, Mrs. Dorough.”
Howie pushed Sarah up and then from behind her, wrapped his arms around her and started walking her towards the front door. Reaching out with his fingers laced in hers, he turned the knob and pushed the door open.
Sarah looked over her shoulder questioningly and he nodded. “Go on in.”
Hesitantly, Sarah stepped through the door and stopped in her tracks. Her heart was in her throat as she realized that her dream house was complete right down to the last detail. She moved her eyes slowly around the great room…Native American throws, soft animal skin rugs in front of the fireplace, oversized plush furniture, antique pieces, and a baby grand in the corner by the double French doors that led out to a deck…it was all in place. On the other side, the kitchen/dining area with the cast iron cookware, large oak table and chairs…it was perfect.
Rushing up the steps, Sarah moved from room to room to find it all exactly as she had imagined. The last room was the master bedroom and she stood in the doorway looking out at the pond. He’d done it again. Howie had made yet another of her dreams come true.
While Sarah was exploring the house, Howie went to the kitchen to get their lunch ready. Thanks to Kryss, all of Sarah’s latest cravings were in the refrigerator ready to be prepared. He moved quickly to get it started and then went to the living room to start the fire.
As Howie stepped back from the fireplace, Sarah came down the steps.
“Well?” he asked.
Floating into his arms, Sarah ran her hands across is chest. “You are the most amazing, wonderful, loving, tender, passionate, thoughtful man in the WHOLE world and I love you SOOOO much. How did you manage all this?”
Howie winked, “If I tell you all my secrets, I can’t surprise you.”
Sarah laughed and gave him a kiss. “I don’t care how you did it! I just know that I am the luckiest woman in the whole world to have you for my husband. Thank you!”
“You’re welcome. Now go pick out some music and put it on the stereo while I finish lunch.”
“Lunch? You’ve already gotten food?”
“The kitchen’s stocked with EVERYTHING you could POSSIBLY want, my angel. This is YOUR home…go relax and enjoy.”
“No, this is OUR home, ‘D’…our first home together that WE built. How can I EVER thank you?”
“You already have, Sarah,” answered Howie placing his hands on her stomach. “I am truly blessed to have you as my wife and every morning when I wake with you in my arms, I thank God for the gift of your love.”
Both had tears in their eyes as Sarah whispered, “I do too, Howard.”
“Go get comfortable. You’ve had a full morning and I need to finish lunch.”
Howie turned her towards the couch and gave her a gentle push. Looking over her shoulder as she went reluctantly, she blew him a kiss and he went back to finish their meal.
Alone in the living room, Sarah made her way over to the baby grand but before she took a seat, she opened the French doors to let in the autumn breeze. With the sunlight behind her and the cool air, she sat down at the piano and ran her fingers reverently over the ivory keys. She’d always dreamed of owning one and now she did. Slowly, a song began to evolve and before she knew it, she was lost in the music.
Howie stepped around the corner to listen and was blown away. For as long as he could remember, Sarah NEVER played without sheet music. She’d never thought she was good enough to play from memory or by ear but now, she was absorbed in the music. Her eyes were closed as she swayed gently. He recognized the piece easily, “Amazing Grace”, her mother’s favorite hymn and he knew that her memories had been of her mother.
As the last chords faded away, Sarah opened her eyes to see Howie beaming with pride. “Lunch ready?”
“Not quite. ‘Angel, that was so amazing!”
Sarah blushed, “Thanks. I can’t believe I played it from memory though.”
“I’m not. You are a fantastic musician, Sarah, and now that you’re safe from Russell’s abuse, you’re starting to believe in yourself again,” he said as he joined her on the bench. “I’ve known from the first time I heard you play at Kevin’s that you had it in you.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Whether you realize it or not, even though you had the music in front of you, you didn’t really look at it. It was a crutch.”
Sarah leaned against him. “I guess you’re right. Russell use to always tell me that I wasn’t playing stuff right when I’d play by ear or from memory.”
“Talking to your dad this morning, he said when you were little, you use to sit at the piano and play all the time, songs you’d heard on the radio or music you’d only seen once or twice. It was the drugs Russell was shooting you up with and his constant put downs that made you stop…just like with your singing.”
A tear escaped as he placed his hand on hers. “When do I get to live my life without the constant shadow of Russell?” she whispered.
“You already are, Sarah,” Howie replied squeezing her hand. “Playing that piece was another step and your career too.”
Sarah got extremely quiet thinking about her mother and Jesse. There were so many things on her mind about both of them and she wanted to share them with Howie, including the memories she’d had on the porch.
The timer in the kitchen went off and Howie said, “Lunch is ready, ‘Angel’.”
Taking his hand, Sarah asked, “How long are we gonna stay here at the house, ‘D’?”
“At least until lunch tomorrow. I told Nick we’d see them around noon. Why?”
“Then we’re gonna have some privacy?”
“Yeah…our day away from our life.”
“Good. There’s so much I want to tell you about Mama,” smiled Sarah. “So many things you never knew about her and me and my life here in Virginia.”
"I can’t wait to hear them,” smiled Howie. “Ready for a steak and cheese sub with all your favorites?”
“With fried onions and mushrooms?”
“And oil and vinegar on the side with lettuce, tomato, and a little bit of mayo.”
“Cheese fries too?”
“With Jalapeño cheese,” grinned Howie.
“Ohhhh,” squealed Sarah and her face lit up. “You DO love me, don’t you?”
Howie laughed, “Without a doubt, ‘Angel’. Come on. Let’s go eat.”
Taking her hand and leading her to the kitchen, Howie had her sit at the bar on the end of the island while he prepared her plate for her. Setting it in front of her, he stood back to watch her. He’d done it so many times before, surprised her, giving her what she wanted just to see her this happy. There was nothing in the world better than seeing his wife so excited.