Chapter 40

40

Chapter 40.

Richard is still sitting in his favorite blue chair, sipping coffee from an ugly mug with a chip on the side of the rim. Jamie can’t make coffee so he winches slightly with each sip.

It is a Saturday morning in April; the trees surrounding his mountain home rustle with Spring. The windows are slightly open and a pleasant breeze, like steam rising from fresh baked bread, floats through them.

Jamie stands over the stove, absentmindedly scrambling eggs. She is softly humming to herself, something sweet, maybe by Otis Redding or Stevie Wonder. As she turns to speak she drops one hand to her stomach. She is four to five months pregnant.

Jamie: What are we doing today, baby? We should really get outside and play.

She walks over to him as she speaks, and with the word “play” she is standing above him. She reaches for his hand, placing it in hers. Richard takes a moment, and then responds.

Richard: Well, we could take a hike down to the gulch.

Jamie: Yeah, that’s what I was thinking too.

The two pause for a moment and then Richard gestures for Jamie to sit on his lap. She does, straddling his legs. They gently smile at one another before Richard lowers his head to Jamie’s belly. First he places his right ear against her, listening to his unborn child. Next he holds her in his hands and says directly to the child within:

Richard: Hello, Lady.

Curtain