Words Just So

The Blue Door...continued (part 7)

Marta woke with a start. With swollen breath and tear glazed eyes she nestled into her husband. It was the only thing that would calm her breathing and steady the dizziness that she was feeling.

Richard turned onto his back and pulled Marta closer.

“You’re okay.”

Marta took a deep breath.

“I’m okay.” She whispered.

Richard pushed Marta’s hair back from her forehead. It reminded him of the fine hairs frayed out from a violin bow, so fine and delicate. With his thumb, he wiped cool, salty tears from her flushed cheeks.

“You’re okay.” He said once again, kissing the crown of her head.

It was only moments later, the sound of calm rhythmic breathing echoed against his chest. Richard took a deep breath, careful not to pull his resting wife from sleep.

…

The sun glared through the bedroom windows. Marta was still nestled into Richard. The morning light and small symphonies of snoring were pulling her awake. She looked over at the clock, it was almost 8:30.

Marta pushed back slowly from her sleeping husband.

“Morning.” Richard said shielding his face from the sun-drenched room with his forearm.

“Morning. I’m sorry…”

“Don’t be sorry. You can’t help having nightmares…bad dreams.” He said, trying to lighten the moment so as not to let his wife recede back into that frightful moment.

“Can you get some time off?” Marta got up from bed and pulled up the window shades. The light stirred Rebel into a sleepy stretch.

“I can.” Richard pushed himself up in bed. His wife was acting curious.

Marta knelt down onto the floor in front of Rebel and rubbed the dogs belly.

“I think we should get away. Go to the house. It needs to be opened up and given a good scrub. I really want to get out of town. I want to go back.” Marta was scrunching her face, fidgeting nervously with a hangnail. Too nervous to look her husband in the eyes, worried about what he would say.

“Yes.” He nodded and smiled.

“Yes?” Marta’s bottom lip quivered for a moment. She took a deep breath and smiled.