Sinking into the white, leather seats as we pulled away from the curve, I finally noticed that my stomach was not in my throat. I wasn't nervous like I usually am. I was relaxed, inquisitive. I looked about me, noticing the luxuries around me. The small tv, the stereo/cd player, the bar, the snacks....all these things surrounding me...for my comfort. The tinted windows shaded my view of the streets as we moved on to the interstate. The curtained window separating the driver from my view, slowly lowered as his voice came over the intercom. It was the same voice that had called me just a short while ago.
"I hope everything is to your satisfaction Ms. Hawthorne. Please feel free to help yourself to anything. We'll be on the road about an hour and a half. There's a selection of your favorite cd's to the right of the stereo console if you'd like to play them, or the tv is connected to the satellite if you'd like to watch your show as we travel. If you need anything, please call me on the intercom to your left. It's under the arm of your seat. I'll be glad to stop at a rest stop if you need to powder your nose."
I just caught the barest hint of a chuckle before the intercom went silent and the curtain raised between us again. I found the remote for the tv and the stereo. Leaning forward, I picked out a Celtic harp cd and inserted it into the player. Discovering that the seat was actually a hidden recliner, I laid back and watched the scenery change as we traveled toward the mountain area of Eastern Kentucky. Not many people in my state realize what a wealth of nature we live within, but by exiting the interstate as we had and traveling the winding two lane roads, you can distance yourself from the city's mass of humanity, and return to the wilderness of Boone and his followers. Time seemed to slip by me, as we climbed higher up into the tree lined mountain. Even as large as this car was, there didn't seem to be any difficulty managing the narrowing curves. Sunlight filtered through the trees, dappling the roadway. August is warm in the lower regions, and the coolness brought forth in the forest is a welcome change from my usual environment. I quieted my mind and tried not to wonder why I was in the limo. I was going to enjoy this adventure.
As the driver slowed to negotiate one more curve, I glanced out the window and realized we were nearly to the top of the peak. Up ahead I could see a pull-off parking area and a set of steps that climbed the remainder of the peak to the top. I leaned forward to look closer as he parked the car at the spot I saw. When the engine was shut off, he stepped out of the car to open my door. Reaching for my hand, I was assisted out and handed a key.
"If you'd climb the stairs to the cabin reserved for you, I'll wait till you unlock the door before I leave. I have instructions to return tomorrow around noon to pick you up and return you to your home. Enjoy your retreat." That was all he said as he closed the limo's door and waited for me to ascend the length of stairs. "Is there anything else I should know?" I asked him. "No ma'am. I believe there is another envelope waiting for you inside", with that he turned around and reentered the car, sitting so he could see me when I reached the top of the steps. Well, here goes nothing, I thought to myself.
It took me about 5 minutes to climb the 57 steps. Yes I counted them all, stopping occasionally to turn and look around me and gaze across the never ending vista of fir trees surrounding me. I could hear the wind whisper softly through the pines and the call of the birds kissed my ears as they floated on the currents around the tree peaks. Turning the key in the lock, I opened the door, turned and waved good-bye to the driver and walked into the cool interior of the rustic log cabin. A late afternoon sunbeam from the west window, cast itself across the table, highlighting a massive bouquet of fresh cut flowers. Their scent filled the room, complimenting another hint of a masculine fragrance. That was it, I could smell after shave, the pine trees, and the damp wetness of the forest floor. It blended in such a way that my heart began to race with the thought I might not be alone after all.
Leaning against the flower vase was another cream colored envelope but this time, addressed to Jessie, in a flowing script. I walked to the table and picked up the letter. There it was again, more of that scent. Placing the envelope closer to my face, I took a breath, pulling the aroma deeply into my lungs, savoring the scent before I stuck my finger under the flap and removed the contents. Unfolding the crisp sheet, I stared at the signature. It was from my Nighthawk again. 'Silly woman, who else?' I thought to myself. The neat penmanship spoke of a man assured of himself and his place in the scheme of things. Each line was perfectly straight. There were no mistakes, no cross outs, no misspelled words. I began to wonder if there were no flaws in him like the many I felt within myself all my life. If it weren't for the fact that I knew his secrets, things he never let the people close to him see, I would have felt inadequate to be in his presence. I could feel him in the room, maybe not in a physical form, but he was here to guide me on this adventure, just as he'd guided me over the last few months into learning to love myself. With a sigh of contentment, I opened the letter and began to read.
