SUN
Their trips always began the same way, long flights, but at least in first class so that they could have some rest. Alexanderia and William had taken the overnight flight. Despite the comforts of first class, the airport time and then the trip to the lodge in the hills had been long and tiring.
They arrived at the lodge at lunchtime, and were greeted by the couple who owned the property, and checked in. They sat for a simple lunch of onion soup and then a local pan-fried fish over grilled lettuces with blue cheese dressing, and fresh tomatoes. As was their habit, they split a small dessert, a perfect chocolate chip cookie.
After lunch, the owners went over the local area. Alexanderia and William had picked this spot because of the proximity to William's climb, but Alexanderia was looking forward to the quiet of the place as well. They then introduced Nikola. She had dark hair, and a sweet demeanor. Her smile was shy as she was introduced.
"Nikola will be taking care of you during your stay, anything you need and she will be happy to help. She stays here when we have guests in the cottage, don't hesitate to ring if you need anything."
Nikola had already packed their luggage on the cart, and they went through the old estate, wooded mostly, until on a little rise there was a stone cottage bordered by gardens. Beyond were the beginnings of the foothills, and past that the mountain William would climb the next few days.
Nikola explained that the main lodge had once been the stables and the bunkhouse, and the cottage the old Keeper's House. The original estate had been huge, so the cottage was nearly a mile from the main lodge. There were no guests in the main lodge during their stay, and she smiled as she said, "Please keep me busy if you wish, otherwise I will be bored."
The cottage had been set aside perfectly, just far enough away that no one could bother, yet all that was needed. Alexanderia and William smiled at each other. It was perfect. The limestone was old but well kept. It was scrubbed and clean and well maintained. The years had burnished the stone, yet the shape and geometry of it all had almost been made better with age. The slate roof was pristine, redone just a few years earlier. The windows new as well, larger than before, Nikola mentioned.
Inside, there was a lightness and airiness not imagined from the outside. Alexanderia was now overcome by the whole of the structure and the perfection inside. It was not only that the cottage was perfect for them, but a fully realized instantiation of her and William's relationship. The elemental stone, like their own sobriety and familial ties, held the lightness of their still childlike wonder and airy laughter. Much like their own relationship appeared to others, the solidity and timelessness of their love was striking from a distance, and yet the true essence of them was fully visible only once let inside.
The natural old pine floors and white-painted bead board gave off a relaxed elegance. The furniture was comfortable and natural, neither fancy nor too simple. Alexanderia thought it much like how William and she welcomed their guests, with comfort and ease; a perfected sense of manners, that being in which others feel comfortable.
The kitchen, had a new gas oven and range, and Nikola told them they could cook if they wished, but the store was half an hour away, and most guests simply had her prepare their meals in the cottage if they did not want to go out to the main lodge. There was a living room, dining room set for two already with silver and candles, a small room that had probably been a second bedroom but was now a small den with a desk, and a porch out front.
Alexanderia thought about the windows as she momentarily gazed out to the gardens. They had been made larger, Nikola had said. Were her and William's view of life now larger and clearer, together, also?
They moved into the bedroom, and Alexanderia could not help her continued philosophical daydream. They were looking now into the private view of her and William's relationship, the intimate, private moments. Just as this room had a simple door allowing both entry and privacy, their own intimate life and its importance was obvious to others, as the bedroom was to the cottage; but it was held off, private.