You know that I can be somewhat sentimental. You also know that I can be retrospective. My relationship with Jessica has me thinking. Thinking about our future. She is much younger than I and you know this also. It occurs to me that she should be taken care of when I am gone. It sounds morbid, but I want her to have what is mine and what has become ours.
I never want her to worry or be troubled about her life in the future. With these thoughts in mind, I will have to contact my lawyer. Jessica will get everything. I know she isn't a gold digger. As I am a rather old-fashioned character, I entertain the thought of making her my wife at some point. I will keep you informed of my progress.
We have a few days off this week. Jessica would like to go out and enjoy the weather. I like this idea. We find and wander a pumpkin patch. She finds one we should take home. I am told that I will have to carve it and create a jack-o'-lantern. I haven't done this since childhood. Jessica also says I should be creative about this. I will do some research. But we spent the day walking up and down streets. In and out of numerous little shops.
A glass of warm spiced wine is especially nice on a cool day. I do need to stop at a music store and purchase some clarinet reeds. My old ones have worn out. It is a relaxing day, and we really have no agenda. Jessica wears painted on jeans and a huge, oversized sweater. She is radiant. We spend much time walking hand in hand or arm in arm.
A few rather rude women give us questioning looks. I get the impression they don't approve of the age difference. I could care less. This I do know; we smile a lot and at one another Jessica and me.
We duck into a little bistro for some soup and a sandwich. The special today is potato soup. I have a Reuben sandwich with mine. Jessica has the special and a small Greek salad. A little sparkling water for us both. The food and company are wonderful.
Later we return to our wanderings. Jessica has been buying a few things. Sweater dresses and dress jackets for the colder months. She is kind enough to model each one for me. We also do a bit of shopping for me. Jessica is still in the process of updating my wardrobe. We hold hands less and less as the day progresses. My hands are full of bags. Our treasures are placed in the car.
We have one last place to visit. Our local wine shop. We seem to like Rhine wines very much. Rieslings and Gewürztraminer, we have often. The shop manager is a very helpful and knowledgeable young lady. She suggests for the coming holidays that we might enjoy some Merlots, Cabernets and Beaujolais. We can sample each.
While we do so, the manager also suggests food pairings for each. Jessica busily jots down notes for our next grocery trip.
Several cases of wine begin to take shape as our order increases. Then magically, a meat and cheese tray appeared for us. The manager provides this free of charge. I insist that she join us. The three of us share wine and food.
The conversation revolves around what Jessica, and I do. We learn a little about the manager and her name is Deborah, not Debbie! She vows to visit the lounge to see and hear our act. Time to go. Deborah has a young man load our purchase and take it to the car. Such company and service. We will come back here.
The car is full now with our shopping trip today. It does take some time to unload it all. Then it all must be properly stored. Then we settled in for the evening. A bottle of Cabernet is opened and left to breathe. We change into something comfier. Jessica wears a long sweater. That's all. I put on some sweatpants and a long-sleeved shirt.
It is cooler and we decide the heat should come on. Jessica asks if I have a good thick long robe. I don't. She also announces that tomorrow, we will find me one and one for her. They will be matching of course. I like the idea and what I like best is, it is quality time with Jessica. It has been a long and wonderful day. We opt for bed.
One last question from Jessica.
"Do you have flannel sheets? If you don't, we are getting those tomorrow too."
I chuckled at the idea. But I can't tell her no. She says they are warmer.
I was told once long ago. The things you dream about are important to you. That night, I had very vivid dreams of Jessica. I saw her in many guises. Jessica the singer and pianist. Jessica the lover. Jessica my friend and companion. But the last was shocking. Jessica the mother. Yes, I saw her with a child, a girl. It was our child. Jessica smiled from ear to ear with happiness as she mothered over this little baby. Even in my sleep, I wondered how this could be so. Knowing what Jessica had been through. My heart wanted to believe it could be so. It would be the one thing I could give her so desired so much. I awoke with a start. So many stark and strong visions. Yet Jessica slumbered next to me as peacefully as I have ever seen her. My mind races at what I have seen. Is it possible?
The espresso machine is calling me, and I must answer. I slip from the bed as quietly and slowly as possible.
"Bring me coffee." Jessica mutters.
Apparently, I am not very stealthy. But now I can move faster and be noisy about it. Two double espressos are prepared, and I return to bed. I am still haunted by my dreams. I see Jessica now through those sights. I imagine her pregnant.
My thoughts are interrupted by Jessica.
"Are you okay? What are you thinking about?"
I answer.
"Oh, nothing much, just about us."
I don't think she believes me by the look on her face. The espresso is finished, and we dress for the day. The weather is breezy and cool. Dressing in layers will be called for.
As soon as we stepped outside, Jessica immediately clutched me and spoke.
"OMG it is cold out here! Roger, you must keep me warm."
We climb into the car and Jessica clamors for the heat to be high. She doesn't calm down until heat pours from the vent.
Jessica decides we will look for sheets first. I have never done much shopping for bedding. Jessica explains that it must feel right. You just can't buy any sheet set. So, we spend a lot of time "feeling" sheets. Jessica makes comments on each one we look at.
Who knew?
Jessica settles on a set of grey flannel sheets. I admit they are very soft to the touch and are warm right away. She is pleased.
Next is robe shopping. Jessica says they should be floor length, very soft, very thick and matching. Once more we sampled several robes. Some are rejected due to the feel. Others are not thick enough or long enough. She finally approves a Turkish robe in a dark blue. We both stand in robes before a mirror, so Jessica can see what we look like. These meet with her approval and are purchased. Then, she says we must hurry and get home so we can wash all of this before we use them.
The new purchases are placed in the car, and we head home. Jessica would like to stop and buy a baked chicken for dinner. Baked, not fried, because it is healthier for us. I ask if I should get a side order of tree bark and leaves. I received an elbow in the ribs for that remark.
The sheets are first put into the washer. As they are cleaned, we have dinner. It is a bit early for that, but okay. I kind of miss the crunchy texture of fried chicken. I am not going to complain about it.
Dinner is done and the sheets moved to the drier. The robes are next to the washer.
Then we do something we don't do much. We watch TV together. I remember now why I don't watch much. There isn't anything I'm interested in. Unless maybe it is an old western. I'll watch that.
The dryer buzzes when it is done.
Jessica speaks.
"Come on Roger. We must go make the bed. Oh, I can't wait to slip into those sheets. I think once you try them, you'll love them."
The next several moments are consumed with stripping the bed and then making it again with the new ones. I confess, they feel nice. The bed is done and then it is back to the sofa and TV. Jessica sits curled up next to me. The bad guys lose in the movie and the good guys win. Just as it should be.
