Free The Living Room by Bill Rolfe Page B

Daniel from entering the house. “But Jennifer is gone.”
    “You mean she’s…But she just got here.” His voice weakened.
    “I’m sorry, Daniel, but we never know when. Don’t worry; I’ll take care of everything.”
    Brenda met the ambulance, and Daniel hurried for the phone in the hallway.
    “Yes, is Claire there, please?” Fortunately she was near the counter and fully aware of the reason for his call.
    “Claire, it’s me. Jennifer…” He paused but didn’t need to finish his sentence.
    “I’m sorry, Daniel. She’s no longer in any pain and in a better place now. Go for a walk and let Brenda handle everything. I’m sorry, but I have to rush back to someone. I’ll be over as soon as I’m off, okay?”
    “Yeah, of course. Um…okay. I’ll be okay,” he tried to reassure himself.
    Claire wanted to spend more time talking to him, but it wasn’t a good day in the ward either. Daniel could hear others calling for her in the background.
    He hung up the phone and awkwardly wandered through the kitchen then around to his room. He felt a slight ringing in his ears. Everything seemed more present. There was tightness in his stomach, and he was uncomfortable remaining in the house. He took Claire’s advice and went outside. Removing himself from the house and allowing the caregivers to routinely handle what he could not fully comprehend was his best option.
    Claire arrived long before dark this time. She made a point of it, to make up for her tardiness the day before with Brenda and to speak with Daniel about the day’s events. They talked about Jennifer’s death and the feelings he endured from the experience. Claire had no easy answers to soften the pain and confusion.
    “How do you do this every day?” he begged, attempting to alleviate his anguish.
    “I just do, and move on to try and help the next child. I think that’s why I work so much sometimes.” She stared into the distance. “Maybe I’m afraid to stop and take it all in.”
    After a moment’s pause, she grabbed his hand. “You know, I’ve been thinking about you all day.”
    “Really?”
    “Yes, and I thought it would be nice if we took a walk down to the water.”
    They went outside for some fresh air and a reprieve from their somber discussion. Descending the naturally carved-out pathway to the water’s edge, they joked with each other about nothing of importance, trying to lift each other’s spirits. To a spectator, they would have appeared as a couple that had been together all their lives. To each other, it started to feel as though they could be, from this night forward.
    They slipped off their shoes and stepped into the cold water, playfully kicking and splashing it at each other. They agreed to a momentary truce and shared the sunset, which felt warm against their faces. Their bodies warmed as they edged closer together.
    Claire turned to Daniel. “I guess, under better circumstances, being alone tonight wouldn’t be such a bad thing.”
    Then it happened—their first kiss.
    Their lips slid passionately across each other’s and both struggled to stay on their feet. Their hands locked together tightly and neither wanted to stop long enough to move onto dry land despite the freezing water. They broke apart only to look into each other’s eyes and then climbed hand in hand back to the house.
    Standing next to the bed, they struggled to pull away from each other’s lips. Their words were unspoken but they understood their mutual feelings. Claire undressed Daniel, and his clothes dropped to the floor. Daniel slid the straps of the summer dress over her shoulders, and it fell gently to her feet. After a moment, they fell to the bed in a passionate embrace. With so much pent-up longing now released, they made love into the night. Then they slept in each other’s arms.
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    The bed beside him was empty, but Daniel awoke with a full heart. A note rested on the pillow from Claire: “Thank you for a wonderful evening, and