III. Two Homecomings
Coming Home
Well, Monday morning came, the Highway Department had the roads sufficiently cleared, and we packed up our things and said goodbye to our "honeymoon suite." We both looked at each other with a bit of sadness as the door closed on our little space where our future together began.
We packed up the SUV, drove around to the office, checked out, and hit the interstate.
The drive home was pretty quiet. No sadness, no recriminations, probably both of us still reflecting on where this turn in our lives was taking us. Also, thinking about life's practical matters that needed attending to once we got home. Also, let's face it, we had just finished two days of some pretty intense interpersonal stuff, and we both needed a break.
We got home to the 'burbs and unloaded the car. The first thing we did was unpack, then sorted and loaded laundry and Janey got that started. I went out for a couple Italian beef sandwiches and some salads. Oh, yeah -- despite the winter weather, I got some "Italian lemonade," that wonderful frozen slushy stuff that often has whole chunks of lemon peel frozen inside of it. Janey stayed home and finished her unpacking and organizing the stuff she'd brought home and started thinking about the things she was going to take back to the University when we drive back in five days. Just five days!
We decided to have the lemonades first, then the beefs and salads. Then Janey phoned Lauren again. She wanted me to be in the room when they talked. After Lauren answered and the two exchanged squealed greetings and declarations of love and how much they missed each other, Janey turned on the speakerphone so we could all talk.
First, Lauren had to tell us how happy she was for us, with a little note of "it's about time!" in her voice, and how she wanted to know all the details of our first 'rendezvous," but that could wait -- that we should have some private time for that to be special for just the two of us -- but then we
had
to tell her everything about it -- maybe several times! She added that she had told her dad just as soon as she received Janey's message Sunday morning. That took me a bit by surprise.
They continued their conversation, including respective plans for returning to the University. Lauren and her dad would be driving down Friday. Janey and I would drive down Saturday morning and everybody could spend the day together. I would head back to the city Monday morning. No mention of when Lauren's dad was going home. Then Lauren asked Janey to turn off the speaker and give the phone to me.
When I put the phone to my ear, I heard Lauren's sultry voice. "Matthew" (
not
'Mister Blake' anymore), I want to tell you again how happy we are that you and Jane are together now." I could hear her sniffling, and her voice broke a little as she added, "If you haven't already, I know you'll discover what my dad and I have with each other. I'm so happy for both of you ..."
Then, even though we weren't on speaker, she lowered her voice, and in a confidential tone added, "And besides, did Janey inform you that now she owes me?"
I stammered, "Uh ... yeah ... uh ... she mentioned something like that, uh ..."
Lauren laughed and said, "Yeah, well, I'm going to hold her to it." And then, totally unexpectedly, "Love you, Matthew," and hung up.
********
I called in to my office to find out what absolutely had to be attended to by the end of today, and what I should expect when I came in the next morning. Janey checked online to see if, between the local library and the Internet, she could find all the materials she needed to finish a psychology paper she had to work on over the break.
She went to the library while I hung some things up to dry and put the rest of the wash into the dryer. Janey had taught me how to treat her laundry years ago, and for some strange reason, I cherish this wonderful act of 'practical intimacy' in entrusting me with the care of her clothing.
I made some phone calls and e-signed some documents and set out to cook dinner for us. Lamb chops under the broiler, frozen peas, our favorite sauce for the lamb. When Janey got home, I asked her to go down to the basement and select a bottle of wine appropriate to our first dinner together -- as a 'couple,' I guess you'd put it. She came back with a bottle of a beautiful California cabernet (2014, if you're counting). But also a bottle of Moet-et-Chandon champagne that we had been saving for "something special." Well, if this doesn't qualify, nothing ever will.
I nailed the lamb chops, made a light sauce from the pan drippings, served the peas in the broth with a little butter, and we generally had a fine dinner together.
Afterward, we cleaned up the table, washed dishes, changed into comfortable lounging-around-the-house wear, opened the champagne, and spent an hour sipping the champagne and cuddling.
Some more practical stuff, then Janey went off to take a shower while I showered in the other bath. I put on some boxers and sweats and settled onto the sofa to watch a favorite TV program.
Janey came out with a towel wrapped around her wet hair and wearing a short terrycloth wrap that was probably a beach robe. She settled in opposite me at the other end of the couch, pulled her knees up under her robe as best she could, and teasingly asked me, "Betcha can't guess what I've got under my robe."
"Is it a mystery?"
"Yes, and you have to solve it."