Jane was still trying to comprehend the incomprehensible gift that now filled their garage when the phone rang somewhere in the house. The noise startled George but not enough to dislodge him from his comfortable position. Jane ignored the phone, figuring it was Fred ringing to say he was on his way home with dinner.
“So, George old boy, where does one start with the amazing gift sitting in the garage?” Jane mused out loud. The magnitude of the bequest was still overwhelming and Jane made no move to get up or dislodge George.
Twenty minutes later, the sun had set and the gorgeous sunset was completely lost on Jane. It was the sound of Fred pulling into the driveway that roused Jane from her musings.
“Oh lord, I forgot he doesn’t know to pull into the garage!” she said aloud as she flew out the front door to prevent her sometimes absent minded husband from pulling into the garage out of habit.
Fred stomped on the brakes as Jane came barreling out of the house like her hair was on fire. Her face was puffy and streaked with tears and she looked exhausted. Fred hit the garage door opener without thinking about it, still focused on his wife. He caught sight of the garage and turned off the car. Never taking his eyes from Jane’s face, he stammered “Jane, what is that?”
Jane had regained her sense of humor, “Well dear, I seem to remember you reminding me that we had a delivery today. And boy howdy, what a delivery it was!”
Fred heard the amusement and awe in Jane’s voice but his brain was having trouble wrapping around the sight of his garage filled with the delivery.
“Stop gapping Fred and come inside. I’ll explain over dinner.”
Fred nodded his head in agreement and grabbed dinner and his briefcase from the car without thinking. Together they headed into the house and toward the kitchen. Jane made a detour and picked up the letter and slid it back into the envelope. Walking into the kitchen, she gathered plates and silverware and headed to the dining room. Fred instinctively grabbed the dinner he brought home and two beers from the refrigerator.
“Here is the letter that accompanied the delivery. I’ll dish, you read. But I warn you before you start, I bawled like a toddler without a nap.”
Fred took the letter and smiled. The pale pink stationary so reminiscent of the aunt he loved and he began to read. Jane dished dinner, setting Fred’s off to one side so Aunt Liza’s letter didn’t accidentally land in dinner. Fred’s face was a kaleidoscope of emotions and as Jane snuck peaks at her husband as he read, she knew her face had probably looked similar earlier that day.
Fred finished reading, his eyes misty and he carefully returned the letter to it’s envelope and set it aside. He took a long drag on his beer and faced his wife.
“I know” Jane said. “Believe me I know. I can’t begin to comprehend the amazing gift she gave us. It is a very good thing I finished the edits on the book this afternoon before the delivery guys arrived.”
Fred nodded, “Satisfied with all the edits on Pippa’s latest adventure?”
“I am, not sure about the editor but the accompanying e-mail reminded her that I was done make edits on the manuscript and that it was ready to be published.”
“Good because if I know my wife, those pallets in the garage are going to keep you busy for the foreseeable future.”
Jane smiled at Fred and laughed, “Wise man, if I weren’t so overwhelmed and exhausted I’d be out there right now. Where are we going to put the desk? It is too large for my office.” There was a note of sadness in Jane’s voice.
“Well, we’ve been discussing building an addition to expand your office space and I guess we have all the motivation we need now.” Fred smiled and kissed Jane’s hand.
The tears had started again, “Oh Fred! Really? I knew I loved you but I would so love that!”
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