Mixed Metaphors XII

It was Sunday morning; four am when Becky got out of bed and cruised the front room like a morning watch police officer looking for bodies and various types of damage. Everyone was asleep except her mother’s housekeeper Marta, who was in the kitchen sipping her sixth cup of coffee. Marta’s husband Juan had gone home earlier as their two young daughters and their sixteen-year-old son were home alone.

Marta was wondering if the sun would ever come up, as she was very sleepy and still had to go to mass, and fix breakfast for her family. Becky walked into the kitchen and sat down at the table with her.

“Good morning Marta,” said Becky.

“Good morning Miss. Rebecca did you sleep well?”

“Marta … we have been good friends ever since you began working for my mom almost fifteen years ago. My name is Becky to you, not Miss. Rebecca.”

“I’m sorry Becky … it is just that you have done so well graduating college, going to work for a the ad agency, and finding a man like Mr. Miller. I am just showing respect for what you have accomplished.”

Becky got up to get a cup of coffee, and waved Marta off when she volunteered to serve her. Becky sat down again thinking that she didn’t like coffee, but she was still sleepy, and it did have a wonderful aroma so maybe she would try a little. By the time she added six teaspoons of sugar and a third of a cup of cream, she thought it really doesn’t taste bad at all.

Marta was sitting across from Becky, with her coffee cup halfway to her mouth, suspended in midair. Her eyes were closed and she was giving off an all but audible snore. Becky took Marta’s coffee cup and placed it on the table, waking her. Becky then got her to her feet, like some Main street drunk and walked her to the front room.

After ordering Marta to lie down on the plush couch, Becky retrieved a light blanket and covered her with it. She had to smile as the front room was filled with little boys in sleeping bags. It looked like a Boy Scout camp out.

The day had gone perfectly. Everybody had their own games and toys and to her knowledge they all got along fine. The party planner was very good and made sure all of the boys were taken care of, and most importantly listened too as individuals, and fed well.

When she returned to the kitchen, there was Tony with bloodshot bleary eyes, sitting at the table sipping a cup of black coffee.

“What are you doing up?” asked Becky with all the authority of an ARMY sergeant.

“When I woke you were gone. The bed just isn’t the same without you.”

“Well go back to bed and I’ll join you when Jake and Diane return to take Marta and my parents home.”

“Where is Marta?” he asked.

“On the couch,” she said listing her head toward the front room. “She was up all day and most of the night. She fell asleep in the middle of a cup of coffee.”

Tony smiled and sipped a little of the hot liquid. He wanted to return to bed but wasn’t going to leave Becky alone.

“How are the boys?”

“They are all fine and asleep. Little Jimmy, Diane’s boy fell asleep clutching the remote. I think he wants to be ready for Sunday morning cartoons when he awakens. I wonder how Jake and Diane are getting along? Jake is really a nice guy and he adores the kids.”

“He told me once that he had been married and was very much in love,” said Tony, “but his wife and son died in childbirth. He was devastated and hasn’t even dated since then. That was almost five years ago, I hope the two of them can hit it off. I think they would make a nice couple, and he really likes little Jimmy too.”

As Tony sipped his black coffee, Becky saw tears welling up in his eyes. At first she believed it was just the lighting in the kitchen, however when several tears began to stream down his cheek, and he turned away abruptly, she asked,

“What’s wrong sweetie?”

“Nothing … nothing is wrong,” said Tony but a break in his voice and several more tears let her know something was causing him pain and anguish.

Quickly she moved over and sat on his lap, holding him around his neck, kissing the tears away from his cheek.

“Tell me what is bothering you. I want to know … now!”

“It’s really nothing sweetheart. It’s just that … I can’t remember having a life, before I met you. My life was methodical, dull and without purpose. Other than work I had no feeling or passion for anything. At one point I was thinking about just stepping off the veranda wall to the street below. When I told you that you saved my life, that’s what I was talking about. You literally saved my life. Thinking about what happened to Jake’s wife and baby, I’m a little afraid that I could loose you also.”

“Now that we are together, nothing will separate us … ever,” said Becky. “Did you hear me Tony? Nothing will ever take me away from you. I promise honey. I am yours as long as you want me.”

“Forever?” asked Tony.

“Beyond forever.” She said.

They held each other tight, and both began to cry openly. Tony felt like a fool and hoped Becky would not think less of him for his little emotional outburst. She knew however that he was truly the love of her life and would never let him go for anything. Becky then looked toward the front door.

“Someone is knocking,” she said.

Tony gently moved her from his lap and walked toward the front door, wiping away any tell tale signs of his tears.