A House on Eden

15. Roanoke Star

"You look absolutely stunning!" Kevin said, admiring me with his eyes. I twirled for him and he laughed. I was wearing my black dress with the low neck. The dress came down below my knees. My arms and legs were bare and I was wearing black high heel shoes. "Show off!" He smiled. "I've never seen you look like this!"

"I've never felt like this," I smiled.

"Felt like what?" He said.

"Like a new beginning," I said. I looked at him and loved him. He was wearing blue jeans, a white long sleeve shirt, and a tailored blue jacket. His shirt was open at the neck. His blue eyes were strong, ablaze, filled with light and adventure.

"I can't believe you never came up here," Kevin said as his car climbed Mill Mountain on the steep winding road. "It's one hell of a view up there. You can see all of Roanoke from the overlook."

"Isn't it better during the day time?" I said.

"I don't think so," he said. "The view is usually obscured by mist. At night the whole city is lit up and you can see every part of it. People come from everywhere to see it."

The view was indeed breathtaking. The city lay spread out in the valley like a sprinkling of magical lights, the steeple of the Catholic Church standing proud and bold. I could see the historic hotel, its white walls lit up. The evening air was chilled and Kevin put his arm around me and pulled me close. I rested my head on his shoulder.

The Chinese restaurant was huge, with large windows letting in the view. We chose a table near the Overlook and I stared out through the window with a sense of awe in my heart. Things could not be more perfect.

"You're very quiet," Kevin smiled when our food arrived.

"I'm completely taken away by the view, Kev," I said. "Being up here has made me forget everything that's happened."

"I feel the same way," he smiled but he was looking at me. It made me blush like a school girl.

While we ate, he said softly: "you need to start thinking about filing for divorce, Jess. You should mention on the form that you are citing the physical abuse you've suffered as the grounds."

"He won't sign," I said. "I know it. It will drag out for months, but he won't sign it."

"He only has 30 days to respond," he said. "If he hasn't then you have options. You should see a divorce lawyer. I know a good one."

"Of course you do," I smiled.

"Bingeman, he said. "He's right across from the firm. He's got 20 years experience."

"I'll go see him tomorrow," I said. "Tonight I want to focus on pleasant things like this marvelous view and your handsome face."

As we pulled into my drive way, I said: "come in with me, Kev."

"Are you sure?" He said. "That's awful fast for a first date, Jess."

"You don't know what I have in mind," I smiled.

"No," he said.

"We've been dancing around this for a long time," I said. "I'm tired of dancing."

Our love making was sweet, tender. His touch was slow, careful, skilled and absolutely wonderful. When he was in me I stretched out my body, closed my eyes and stretched my arms out over my head. I gave myself completely to him without reservation. I wrapped my legs around his hips, drew in even more of him and matched his rhythm.

The house moaned, the hardwood floor engulfed us; the walls drew near to listen like silent witnesses.

I fell asleep in his arms, the blankets pulled tightly around me. I dreamed of the Star, of the Overlook, of flying into the Valley with silver wings. Then I dreamed of Bruce, of him standing there outside my window with naked rage in his face.