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4
Adam opened the refrigerator and scanned the contents. “Why can’t we have something to snack on in this house?” he said loudly. “Some cheese. Crackers. Anything.”
“You told me not to buy stuff that isn’t on your diet.”
Adam jumped at Sally’s voice. He hadn’t realized she was standing in the doorway. He closed the door to the fridge. “You’re right,” he said with a smile. “Sorry.”
“If you want me to buy you snacks, I will,” she said.
Adam gazed at his wife. Her shoulder-length blond hair was tucked behind her ears, and as she looked back at him, he could see the love in her eyes. Before his father died, he had encouraged Adam to find someone he could be happy with. Then not long after he passed away, Adam met Sally. He’d felt so alone with Father gone. Sally came along at exactly the right time. Adam truly believed she was “the one.” The perfect woman for him. They’d been married almost nine years now, and he loved her more today than the day they tied the knot.
“No, you’re right. I don’t need them.”
He walked over and took her in his arms. “I’m so glad I have someone who takes such good care of me.”
“You shouldn’t be on a diet anyway,” she said softly, melting into his embrace. “You’re too thin as it is, you know.”
He squeezed her lightly and laughed. “You’re great for my ego.”
Sally kissed his cheek. “Pot roast with potatoes and carrots for supper? Your favorite.”
“You’re too good to me. Next you’ll be telling me we’re having apple pie for dessert.”
It was Sally’s turn to laugh. “I’ll make sure we do. Not a problem.”
“You’re the best thing that ever happened to me, you know that?” he said. “I wish you could have met my father.”
Sally nodded. “I’m sure I would have loved him.”
“Yeah, and he would have felt the same way about you. He was a wonderful man. Taught me everything I know.”
Adam got a glass out of the cabinet and turned on the kitchen faucet. He quickly downed the water, then put the glass on the counter. As usual, he remained thirsty. “I still think there’s something weird about our water,” he said. “It’s ... well, it’s not refreshing.”
Sally laughed. “You have quite an imagination.”
“I guess so.”
Just then Gabby and Trey came into the kitchen. Their beautiful twins. They were out of school today. Teachers’ meetings.
“When’s lunch, Mama?” Gabby asked, her blues eyes sparkling. She had blond hair like her mother, but it was naturally curly while Sally’s was straight. Neither Adam nor Sally had curly-headed relatives. Adam used to tease his wife whenever he saw a curly-headed man. Maybe he was Gabby’s real father? Although Sally always laughed, he could tell the jokes bothered her, so he’d stopped them. Gabby was clearly their child. She had Sally’s blue eyes and his nose. Just like Trey.
“You two go wash your hands,” Sally said. “Then come back for your lunch.” The twins scurried away, giggling as they ran down the hall to the bathroom.
Sally turned toward Adam. “What do you want for lunch?”
He shook his head. “I have to work today. I’ll probably be home late. Can you hold supper off until eight?”
“Sure. I’ll feed the kids earlier, then put them to bed and eat with you when you get home.” She smiled. “I’m so glad you got rid of that apartment. I know you needed a place closer to work, but now you can be home more. We all missed you.”
“I missed you too. I need you and the kids more than I can say.”
As she began preparing lunch for the children, Adam watched her. She was perfect. The children were perfect. Even this house was perfect. His father had put the old family home in Adam’s name, and after he died, Adam completely remodeled it. Today, no one would even know it was the same place. Except for the basement. He hadn’t changed anything down there. He was also the only one allowed to go downstairs.
Adam’s arms itched. He scratched them, but it didn’t help much. Maybe it was this wool sweater Sally bought him. He didn’t want to hurt her feelings, but he might have to stop wearing it.
“You’re still itching?” she asked. “This has been going on for quite a while.”
He nodded. “Not sure why. Just dry winter skin, I guess.” He paused a moment before going downstairs to get what he needed. “You’ll read to the kids before they go to bed?”
