Through the screen door, I can hear the raindrops hit the patio as I stand in the kitchen. The scent of rain engulfs my senses on this hot and stormy night as I wash the few dishes that are in the sink. Peering out the small kitchen window, I can see the big drops splashing on the ground. A flash of lightening appears, brightening the yard for just a moment. The distant sound of thunder echoes in the air as the storm rapidly approaches.
I put down the dishrag and open the small window that is just above the sink. A warm breeze sweeps through the kitchen. The breeze is comforting, like an old friend...like a lost love. Reminding me of your hot breath on my neck as it catches my hair.
Your business trip has lasted for almost two weeks now - twelve days to be exact, but who's counting I think as I return my attention to the dishes in the sink. When you phoned last night, you informed me that you would be gone for at least another five days. My heart broke as you uttered those words. I could here the disappointment in your voice as well. The thought of not seeing you is a hard pill to swallow, but I do understand the nature of your business.
I grab the dishrag and quickly dispense with the chore at hand. Letting the water drain from the sink, I wipe off the countertop and sigh deeply as I miss you so very much. The intensity of the rain is picking up outside. The lightening and thunder are more frequent as the storm rolls in. I move to the back door and stand at the screen gazing at the wonders of Mother Nature. The breeze passing through the screen door whips under my dress catching the hem. The wind feels like a warm hand caressing me - your hand. Closing my eyes I stand in front of the screen door. The warm night air touches my body and fills me with thoughts of you and your touch. I spread my legs slightly and let the warm breeze pass between them. I lean my head back and cross my arms around my body pretending they belong to you. This works for a moment, but the sound of thunder brings me back. I wish that I could feel your strong embrace. Every inch of my soul aches for you to be home. I must be patient, I tell myself. You will be home soon.
Maybe a glass of wine will help to ease some of the melancholy I feel this evening. Moving from the door I walk across the cool white linoleum floor in my bare feet to the refrigerator. Opening the refrigerator door, I remove the bottle of wine sitting on the top shelf. Shutting the refrigerator door with one foot, I then move to the counter next to the refrigerator. Placing the bottle on the counter I reach up to grab a wine glass from the glass rack. Now I really wish you were here, as I am unable to easily get the glass down. I can here you in my mind teasing me as you always do when I need your assistance in getting an object that I have put out of my reach. Little do you know, that I enjoy watching
you
from behind...
Leaning up against the counter on my tiptoes, is the only way that I can even touch the glass. Stretching with all of my might, I finally get my hand on the stem of a glass. Just as I put my hand on the glass, a large bolt of lightening illuminates the sky, knocking out the power to our home. A large crash of thunder shakes the very foundation of my soul and makes me catch my breath. The thunder is so loud that I do not hear the opening and closing of the screen door. Nor do I see or hear the intruder within.
All is dark now. I am stuck in an awkward position, praying that I don't drop the glass on the kitchen floor with my bare feet showing. I curse aloud as I stand their one arm on the countertop and the other reaching for the glass. My back is to the intruder unaware that he is watching my every movement...watching and waiting.
With some difficulty I manage to retrieve the glass and place it on the counter without having it shatter into a million pieces on the floor. I then move along the counter feeling my way to the utility drawer looking for the lighter. On this dark and stormy night I will have to make do with the light of a candle or two. No telling when the power will be back on, as the storm continues to rage on outside.
Locating the handle of the utility drawer, I open the drawer to find the contents all chaotic. I move things around in the dark until my hand feels what should be the lighter. Another flash of lightening blazes across the sky making enough light for me to see that I have indeed found what I am searching for. I reach quickly for the candle that is sitting on the small shelf right in front of me before all of the illumination escapes from the last bolt of lightening. As I light the three-wick candle the sound of thunder can be heard throughout the house.
My thoughts are of you as I move back to my glass. What a night to be without you. The light from the candle helps to ease some of my fear as I hate storms. I need to relax and let the wine work its magic. Let its intoxicating bouquet take me away from this stormy place, if only in my mind.
I reach for the bottle of wine and remove the cap. The entire time the intruder is watching and waiting. Maneuvering without a sound to a hiding place in the kitchen. Concealing his identity by hiding in the shadows. I begin to pour the remaining contents of the wine into my glass. There is just enough wine to fill my glass one time.
I am not much of a drinker this glass will settle my nerves very quickly. Half a glass will have me feeling no pain in a few minutes and then I will make my way upstairs to take a hot bath to wash away the loneliness I feel tonight. I wish you were here to share my bath...to share our bed...to have my body.
I take a sip of wine and place the glass back on the counter. It feels cool sliding down my throat. I close my eyes and listen to the wind as it passes through the open window of our home. The scent of the candle begins to fill the air as the flickering light dances off the walls. The sound of the rain and the cool feeling of the wine are beginning to have a soothing effect on me. I can feel some of the tension ease as the wine makes its journey downward. How sweet it tastes and how comforting it feels. I stand there for just a moment longer as the breeze from the back door rushes in and catches the bottom of my dress once again whipping it high around my thick thighs. Taking an even larger sip of wine, I begin to let my mind wander to thoughts of your homecoming, the pleasure that we will share. Setting the glass back on the counter, I realize that I am almost done with the entire glass in record time.
I close my eyes as the wine makes it way down and warms my spirit a bit. I look at the glass still on the counter and see that I have just one swallow to go. All of a sudden, a cold shiver runs down my spine. I shrug it off as the sound of thunder rumbles across the sky. The sound of thunder catches me a bit off guard as I drain the final contents of the glass. A few droplets miss my mouth and land on the counter. My back is still towards the intruder who is watching very closely as I consume the final remnants of wine. Watching and waiting, he hides in the corner as I turn towards the sink. Walking over I place the empty glass in the sink and reach for the dishrag. I turn without noticing him standing in the corner. Walking back across the cool floor I reach for the empty bottle. The intruder makes his presence known...
He grabs both of my arms from behind. Dropping the dishrag to the floor as the surprise and pain consume me. I never see his face. His strong hands dig into both of my arms as he jerks me backward towards him. My back is up against his chest and his chin is resting in my hair. I can hear his breathing and my heart is racing with fear. My head begins to spin as my mind takes in what is happening. He whispers in my ear to be quite and not make a sound. The fear and terror that I feel paralyze my vocal chords and I cannot utter a word in protest. All I can manage to do is nod in compliance. He urges me forward toward the counter, never letting go of my arms. The back of my dress is now wet from being up against him...he must have come from outside...during the storm, but when...how... My mind is racing.
At the counter his grip tightens on my arms and he instructs me in a whisper to put my hands behind my back. The fear I feel consumes me as I am unable to move my hands and place them behind my back. Will he hurt me for not doing as I am told? My mind is a blur as I stand in the kitchen. I am trying to get my arms to move, but they are not cooperating. After what seems like a lifetime, I finally get one arm to move and I place it slowly behind my back; evidentially not fast enough for he reaches down and grabs my arm harshly and pulls it behind me. I begin to yell out in pain, but he instructs me to be quiet or else... Or else what I think...
