Parrallel: Henry & Alyze

The sun streamed into the small apartment, waking her up. She rolled over to get the sun out of her eyes and stared as the dust particles floated in the light above the white down comforter. She pulled it up over her shoulder trying to warm up and dreading getting out of bed. She was exhausted from the drive the night before and this snow storm had ruined her plans for a relaxing drive and week in Colorado.

            She heard a click and looked up to see the coffee pot start. She smiled as she sat up in bed. It was amazing the little things he remembered to do even when he had to work. She had known Henry since he was seven. He used to be so quirky, but as the friendship grew, their relationship flourished. Two years ago, he had finally set up the perfect proposal and she had accepted. Last year they had her dream wedding in their hometown, but he was stationed here as an officer and she still had one year left on her teaching contract, so they had to live apart.

            Aly was glad spring break gave her a week to spend time with him even if it was only at night, since he couldn’t take leave. She untangled herself from the white sheets and grabbed his sweatshirt from the dresser. She slipped it over her head and walked over to the kitchen counter. She picked up the envelope and pulled out the card.

I picked up your favorite coffee, enjoy it and your day off. Relax, there’s movies by the tv and I will see you tonight. ILY

                She smiled at the note, placed it back down and poured a cup. She walked barefoot on the cold tile floor back to her suitcase next to the bed. She ruffled through until she found a pair of socks and some yoga pants to wear.

            She went back for her coffee, taking a careful sip so she wouldn’t burn her tongue again. She set the cup down on the coffee table and picked up the dvds he had put out. She giggled at the titles. Titanic, The Notebook, The Proposal, and New Moon. She put the movies back down and sat on the couch. She curled her feet beneath her and reached for coffee cup. She sipped it and relaxed.  After she finished her cup of coffee, she took the mug to the sink and washed it.

            She opened the cabinet and pulled out a bag of popcorn. She tossed it into the small black microwave. Her fingers drummed on the counter as she waited for it to finish popping.

*                *          *

She looked in the fridge to see what she could cook for dinner. She pulled out the chicken breasts out of the fridge, placed them in the pan, and shoved them into the oven. She turned the oven onto 350 degrees, and then grabbed another pot off the pot rack. Annie filled it with water and looked through the cabinet for the spaghetti Tupperware container.

*    *          *          *

Her golden streaked brown hair fanned across his thighs as his lap rested her head. He sat there legs stretched in front of him watching the tv as he absentmindedly ran his fingers through her long hair. She turned her eyes from the television and looked up at him. “I was thinking about a change.”

            He glanced down at her and saw her jaw set. She always did this when she was serious and afraid of his answer. She was always thinking about their life together but didn’t know how he would react. They had known each other for so long, he knew every smile and face she made, but she never trusted herself. He grabbed the remote and paused the movie. “What?”

            “Well, my contract is up with the school soon. They need an answer if I’m going to re-sign next month, and I don’t know if I want to.” He stopped tugging at her hair and rested his hand on the burgundy couch.

            “I thought you liked teaching.”

            “I do, but maybe not there.”

            “You’ve said you enjoy the other teachers, and administration isn’t hard on you. Why would you leave?” Her face dropped, and he realized that wasn’t what she meant.

            “I do –“

            “You mean leaving the city completely?” He pulled her chin back up so he could look into her teal eyes.

            “Yes.”

            “Are you sure?”

            “I don’t see you very much.”

            “We hardly see each other.”

            “Only on holidays or when you get special leave. The cost of driving and flying back and forth is starting to show.”

            “I would need to get a bigger place.” She sat up straight and looked at him.

            “Really?”

            “Of course. This studio apartment won’t really be big enough for us. I can start looking at other apartments. Besides it would need to be closer to your school right?” He caught the smile that was starting to grow.

            “Henry, really?” She swung her legs over his and pulled him into a hug. He lost balance and braced himself with his arm as he leaned over her and kissed her.

            “Yes, my love.  I would love to have you finally move in with me. This distance has sucked this year. I never thought I would have had to leave you after you married me, but our jobs kept us apart. So now that we have the opportunity, let’s take it. In the morning, you can drive me to work and use the car to check out the local schools. How does that sound?” He brushed her bangs away from her eyes as he kissed her again.

            “That would be great!”

            “Good, now can we finish the movie? We need to wake up early in the morning and have a lot to do.” He replied winking at her and readjusting his weight to slide behind her on the couch. She looked back at the screen and smiled. She would finally be in his arms every night. They would finally be able to live like husband and wife should, instead of miles apart, loneliness creeping upon them each day they were apart.

            The movement and noise on the screen caught her attention. It was Jack and Rose running through the engine room of the Titanic. Alyze remembered seeing Titanic in theaters over a decade ago. Sitting next to Henry holding his hand that day, not much had changed in all those years. They still loved each other then and with every passing day their love had grown. They had finished high school together; they had survived college with their relationship intact. Even with graduation, they knew their future would evolve around each other.

            Henry had been commissioned as an officer in the Army, Alyze had chosen to become a teacher like her grandmother. She knew she could find a job after her initial contract was done any where he was stationed. A year after college and traveling back and forth to see each other, he had proposed on Christmas vacation at her grandmother’s house in front of her family.

            He kissed the back of her neck. “A penny for your thoughts?”

            “But thoughts of you are priceless.” She rolled over and kissed him passionately. He returned the kisses more passionately and moments later they were out of breath. He looked deep into her eyes, deep enough to see into her soul. Henry rolled over her and stood up. He extended his hand, she took it to help her to her feet, and he led her to the bed. Although they undressed each other the details would fade in to their memory. They would only remember the passionate love they shared that night. They laid in each other’s arms exhausted after and Alyzabeth closed her eyes to dream of him.