Dear Allison,
Do you remember the wooden plank our dog, Pluto, kicked in yesterday? There was a lovely squirrel chomping on a nut on the other side of the fence and all one hundred fifteen pounds of our strong, black Labrador rocketed through the fence to join the feast. We chased after her in the field behind our house, while the squirrel chased after its life. You asked me later, breathless and sweating and Pluto's leash in hand, if I could fix the fence. I said yes.
I didn't.
While you were at work today, and I had the day off, I missed you. Eight hours a day away from you breaks my heart sometimes. Instead of miserably moping around, which I was apt to do, I went to go fix the fence as you asked.
I took out a hammer and nail and squirmed through the gaping hole that our mischievous dog had so cleverly created. I gasped, Allison. The field behind our house struck me as beautiful—utterly captivating. The grass was the green of spring, and small yellow citrus weeds sprouted in circles. The sun, held back by light clouds, shone a soft warmth on my body; the wind stroked my skin lovingly.
I waited for you to come home.
By six you arrived, hiding your exhaustion bravely behind your warm hug. I asked if you would rather take a shower now or later. You poked me and asked what I was up to. I only shook my head. After a pause, you said now and I opened the bathroom door for you.
Once you emerged, far less exhausted, hair damp, cheeks flushed, feet clean, I led you to the backyard. Your head whipped around, an exasperated grin on your lips.
You didn't fix the fence, darling?
I let Pluto out, who had been enviously pawing at the backyard door all day. She scampered through the grass and jumped through the fence hole, Olympics-style. You raced after her, shouting exclamations of confusion, then stopped suddenly, your body half way through the fence. I slapped your butt playfully, so that I could join in the fun too.
Looking at me, you stretched out on the thick woolen blanket I spread on our little corner of the world. You asked if I did this. I said wryly that I ought to have. Pluto raced through the field behind our house.
It was a gorgeous, orange-glow hour before sunset. It was my favorite hour of the day. You're my favorite person to spend it with.
I wrap you in my arms like you're cold and need warmth; I feed you small sandwiches I prepared in those cute baskets you like and I smear your lips with wine. Your hair dries under my roving hands. As I watch the sun set in your eyes, your exhaustion and my loneliness seeps away.
The joy accidents can bring, I wonder drowsily.
Pluto rolls around in the grass.
I love you.
