Finally. Friday. Of what has to have been one of the longest weeks of my life. But I'm almost home. And that makes me smile, even with the snow blowing into my face.
Knocking the worst of the snow and mud off my ankle boots onto the porch steps, my cold wet fingers (even inside my little red chenille gloves) struggle to get my keys out of my purse and open the door. I'm attempting to line up the damn key when the knob turns in front of me as you open the door.
"Baby!" If I didn't know you better, I'd think you were annoyed with me. Actually, I know you're annoyed with me, but I also know it's just because you care. Taking my hands, you pull me into the warm living room. Quickly divesting me of my jacket and gloves, you leave them to drip on the front mat. Taking in the still unmelted snowflakes caught in the red streaks of my hair, the wet cuffs of my green corduroy pants, and my intermittent shivers, you shake your head.
"Why didn't you just call me?"
"I d-didn't want to b-be a b-bother."
"Dammit. Don't move."
You head back into the bathroom, where I can hear water running. You come back to reclaim me, pulling me by cold fingers back into the bathroom, which is already starting to warm with the steam coming off the tub. Walking ahead of me, you drop the lid on the toilet seat to give me somewhere to sit. The loud sound startles me out of my exhausted reverie with a jump. Seating me on the toilet, you kneel before me to unlace my boots and peel off damp socks. I stand briefly as you also divest me of my wet cords and little cotton panties until I'm sitting there in just my oxford and bra, still occasionally shivering.
Pulling the towel off the rack, you knock the worst of the wet off my hair, leaving the towel wrapped around my shoulders. I feel you press two of my little hair clips into my hand. Without conscious thought, I wrap my wet hair up in a loose bun on top of my head, securing it with the clips. Looking up at you, I am once again amazed that you chose me.