A Shortie: Number 1

As a teenage girl, Jackie dreamed of a romantic interlude with the man she loved.  After a whirlwind six months of marriage, Darin and Jackie finally took a short honeymoon.  During the nights alone at home while her husband worked, Jackie scoured the Internet for places to stay.  The moment she saw the pictures, Jackie fell in love with a simple AirBnb cottage on the coast of Maine. 

The first day of their four day weekend fell short of Jackie’s expectations.  Darin worked the previous evening and after the flight and five hour drive to the house, he was somnolent the entire day at the cottage.  Jackie understood Darin needed sleep and was patient with his irritability during the day.  Nevertheless, she was angry when he promptly fell asleep at 5:21 in the afternoon. 

The dream weekend with her love included watching the sky darken, contemplating the stars, listening to the night sounds and cuddling by a fire.  Her eyes filled with frustrated tears as Jackie watched her dreams return void.  When she slid into bed next to Darin and put her arm around him, he didn’t move.  She knew another fantasy would be unfulfilled.  There would be no lovemaking. 

With a night of rest, Darin was himself the next day.  The two planned to spend some time on the back porch enjoying nature and each other.  As a youngster, Jackie envisioned sitting next to her man, sipping tea and holding hands.  Together, they would share nature.  They would become one with it and each other. 

Darin brought a book and a cup of coffee with him and sat on a bench that rocked.  Jackie followed him with her tea and, after placing their mugs on a table, the couple sat facing the Atlantic Ocean.  A cool wind blew into their faces.  Jackie sat close to her husband and he put his arm around her.  Leaning down, Darin kissed her head.  This warmed Jackie’s heart and she burrowed into his shoulder. 

For Jackie, moments like this were real life.  She reflected how humans spend so much time scurrying about doing things that don’t fill the soul.  Enjoying nature and those you love is what makes us human. 

Darin removed the arm from his wife and reached for his book.  He found the boarding pass used as a bookmark and open the book and continued reading.  At first, Jackie was put off by his actions but decided to have a little fun.  She poked him in the ribs but since he was not ticklish, he didn’t react except to softly squeeze just above her left knee.  This caused her to react with a jump.  Her hands shot down to push his away. 

Then she leaned in close to Darin and bumped his arm which interrupted his reading.  She purposely moved every now and again to break his concentration.  Momentarily, Darin was angry at the disturbance Jackie caused.  Then he decided to have his own fun.  He said, “You know, I’ve learned something about you since we’ve been married.”

“Really?  What?”

“You have a button that makes your arm move.”

Puzzled, Jackie replied, “What are you talking about?”

“I’ll show you.”  Then he poked her in the ribs just behind her arm.  Involuntarily, she jumped and her arm moved back.  Darin laughed as he reached to poke her again.  Jackie turned her torso as a defense as Darin said, “I didn’t know it made you jump around though.  Let me see if I can find the spot that only makes your arm move.”

Jackie laughed as she grabbed and pushed his hands away, “Stop it!”

Smiling and with a knowing look, Darin said, “There is something else I’ve learned since we’ve been married.”

Apprehensively, Jackie asked, “What?”

Darin looked deeply, longingly into her eyes.  A hunger grew in the depths of his being and he leaned down and kissed her.  A thrill swept through his body and titillated his mind.  Jackie kissed her husband with fervor.  They kissed and touched one another for seven minutes when Darin stopped and again looked into her eyes.  Jackie returned his gaze, wondering why he stopped and seeking answers from his eyes. 

Finally, Darin said, “I love you more each day.

As strong emotions flooded in, Darin stood and beckoned Jackie to join him.  Then he swept her from her feet and carried her to the bedroom where they spent the rest of the day in lovemaking.