10 Dark Years : The Weekend Freewrite - Single Prompt Option: 8/1/20

Thomas stopped short of the driveway. He quickly scanned his peripheral. Clinching his fists, he released them slowly to calm the shaking that was moving downward toward his legs. Of all the times he dreamed of this moment in the last two weeks, somehow it didn't feel right standing in this spot, on this street, in this neighborhood.

This part of the city was never on his radar as one he'd visit. How would he explain to her? One brow lifted as a small chuckle escaped. He couldn't believe he could still laugh at himself. That was her expertise. And its graceful execution, with the swift flip of her hand a breath away from his face, was a thing of beauty. To family, the gesture caused uncontrollable laughter. As his sister put it, "Thomas, you're lucky to have her because she's a riot." He could see how she'd think so.

He had two weeks to cancel the appointment. But he didn't. He couldn't explain the urge to move forward. The thought of the unknown, though, brought a twinge in his stomach. His friends would call it another name they'd joked about.

So, to stop the incessant urging of his close friend, he agreed to try. It wasn't as if he detested the idea. He just didn't know what he was being cajoled into. With one swift hop up the stairs, he stood looking at #22.

Julia answered the light knock. Standing behind the door, she motioned to enter.

Dimly lit. Fragrant candles. Scarcely furnished. A textbook scene, with tools of the trade on full display. Thomas smiled, then walked over to the only chair in the room and lowered himself onto it gently. Julia swept passed him into an adjoining room. Her perfume smelled intoxicating; or was it the incense nearby? He shook his head as she emerged from the side room with her hand extended, offered him an omelet and fruit. That wasn't what he came for. Although the unknown spice in the omelet did smell good. He knew knew his way around aromatics.

"What brought you here tonight? Julia asked with a large chunk of food in her mouth.

"What do you mean? You know why I'm here," Thomas retorted.

"If I did, I wouldn't have asked, would I?, she stated with an even tone."

Deciding to play along, Thomas said coyly, "for relief."

"Then let's get to it," she remarked lightly, placing her unfinished omelet on the dresser. "Go take a shower, place these garments on, and lie down." Like a child, Thomas followed directions as though playing an unfamiliar game.

As soon as his head lay on the soft pillow, he couldn't control the urge to sleep. He didn't mind. He was tired. The kind of tired not of the body. She covered him in the soft, cool blankets. "How long have you been married?" Julia asked.

"Ten years, three months, 2 days, and too long," Thomas blurted. The rest flowed freely. By the time he'd reached the fifth year, he dozed off. Julie began her to minister to him. As she read softly, he could hear her in the recess of his mind, but couldn't figure out the context. All he knew was it sounded and felt soothing.

Julia rolled off the covers and quietly placed a coverlet around her shoulders. The hall of her apartment building was empty as she entered, then stood gazing out the door previously left open.

^{Photo by Kevin Sicher on Unsplash}

Two hours later, Thomas woke. He slipped on his clothes as he canvassed the room. Typical, he thought. Looking closer, he noticed a small dresser where several business cards lay. Astonishment covered his face. He eased the door opened and nodded to Julia. Silence lingered for a second as he smiled, then headed down the stairs.

He paused and pulled the card from his shirt pocket. A light voice on the other end talked rapidly. "Simon and Chandler Associate."

Are kids extra, Thomas asked?

"Yes, custody will run you another $2 thousand," the associate replied.

With a heavy sigh, Thomas uttered, "I'd like to make an appointment."