By Cynthia Schuerr (Darkness ~ Faith ~ Perplexed)
The house appeared a little run down in the darkness. Only a shadow of the structure was visible until the sky lit up with streaks. It was mine, this house was mine, and left to me by a Great Uncle I never knew. Standing in the pouring rain, soaked to the gills, I couldn’t help but wonder… why me?
The letter gave little information, only directions and a date as to where and when to pick up the key. At first, I thought it might have been delivered to the wrong person. However, there were identifying statements exclusive to my family.
The light above the door was of no help and except for a streetlight’s glare, it was difficult to find the keyhole. The hesitation, as I pressed the lever of the door handle was not of fear but of mechanical difficulty. Well, maybe a little fear. I had no idea what was on the other side of that door. However, I was about to find out. It creaked….so loudly in the silence of the foyer. The click of the door closing as I released the lever echoed in the drab and dusty hall. It smelled as if someone had just lit a match, that burnt sulfur smell stung my nose.
I could swear I smell a cigarette.
I felt the wall alongside the entry for a light switch. There we go...click...click click.
“Great! No electricity? Maybe the bulb is out.” Why didn’t I think to bring a flashlight? With this storm, it would have been a smart thing to do.
“Hello…is there anyone here?” I thought I saw a shadow pass the stairs leading to another area of the old house, but I couldn’t tell for sure.
A grand old house …. at one time, but now…..the work it needs would break me. Too bad! It could really be something restored back to its original state.
There it was again…..certain of what I saw this time. I edged my way along the wall and was about to leave when a light flickered. I turned…and there she was…..drop dead gorgeous. One hand on her hip and the other holding a cigarette in one of those extravagant holders they used back in the 1940’s. Her hair as red as fire and pulled over to one side draping her shoulder. Eyes like emeralds and lips moist and red. A sleek black dress that fit her body like a glove.
Where in heaven did she come from and who is she?
“Who are you and what do you want?”
She smiled a flirty smile and slowly moved across the room.
“My name is Carrie and I want you!”
“What! Er,..uh…..perplexed, he was at a loss for words.”
“What do you think?” She slowly pivoted in a full circle as if she was selling herself. She tempted me with her slow curvy movements. Jenna, my wife, would kill me if she knew what I was thinking right now.
She teased, enticed, and made my head twirl. I don’t like where this is going. Well, I would like it if it could go there, but my wife…I can’t do this to her.
She has been my rock and no one can make me feel like she makes me feel. I won’t do this to her.
She took my hand and led me through a dimly lit room toward another door. She attempts to seduce me again . All I can think about is Jenna. I push Carrie away and turn to leave.
“I’m sorry, Carrie. You’re a beautiful woman. Any man would be lucky to have you. But I love my wife.”
~~~~~~~~~~
The doors opened wide……HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NOAH!
Everyone cheered and wished me a happy 40th.
Jenna told me she loved me and that she always had faith in my love for her...but as they say, the proof is in the pudding…..and now she was certain.
The house appeared a little run down in the darkness. Only a shadow of the structure was visible until the sky lit up with streaks. It was mine, this house was mine, and left to me by a Great Uncle I never knew. Standing in the pouring rain, soaked to the gills, I couldn’t help but wonder… why me?
The letter gave little information, only directions and a date as to where and when to pick up the key. At first, I thought it might have been delivered to the wrong person. However, there were identifying statements exclusive to my family.
The light above the door was of no help and except for a streetlight’s glare, it was difficult to find the keyhole. The hesitation, as I pressed the lever of the door handle was not of fear but of mechanical difficulty. Well, maybe a little fear. I had no idea what was on the other side of that door. However, I was about to find out. It creaked….so loudly in the silence of the foyer. The click of the door closing as I released the lever echoed in the drab and dusty hall. It smelled as if someone had just lit a match, that burnt sulfur smell stung my nose.
I could swear I smell a cigarette.
I felt the wall alongside the entry for a light switch. There we go...click...click click.
“Great! No electricity? Maybe the bulb is out.” Why didn’t I think to bring a flashlight? With this storm, it would have been a smart thing to do.
“Hello…is there anyone here?” I thought I saw a shadow pass the stairs leading to another area of the old house, but I couldn’t tell for sure.
A grand old house …. at one time, but now…..the work it needs would break me. Too bad! It could really be something restored back to its original state.
There it was again…..certain of what I saw this time. I edged my way along the wall and was about to leave when a light flickered. I turned…and there she was…..drop dead gorgeous. One hand on her hip and the other holding a cigarette in one of those extravagant holders they used back in the 1940’s. Her hair as red as fire and pulled over to one side draping her shoulder. Eyes like emeralds and lips moist and red. A sleek black dress that fit her body like a glove.
Where in heaven did she come from and who is she?
“Who are you and what do you want?”
She smiled a flirty smile and slowly moved across the room.
“My name is Carrie and I want you!”
“What! Er,..uh…..perplexed, he was at a loss for words.”
“What do you think?” She slowly pivoted in a full circle as if she was selling herself. She tempted me with her slow curvy movements. Jenna, my wife, would kill me if she knew what I was thinking right now.
She teased, enticed, and made my head twirl. I don’t like where this is going. Well, I would like it if it could go there, but my wife…I can’t do this to her.
She has been my rock and no one can make me feel like she makes me feel. I won’t do this to her.
She took my hand and led me through a dimly lit room toward another door. She attempts to seduce me again . All I can think about is Jenna. I push Carrie away and turn to leave.
“I’m sorry, Carrie. You’re a beautiful woman. Any man would be lucky to have you. But I love my wife.”
~~~~~~~~~~
The doors opened wide……HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NOAH!
Everyone cheered and wished me a happy 40th.
Jenna told me she loved me and that she always had faith in my love for her...but as they say, the proof is in the pudding…..and now she was certain.
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