I drove home up to Two Pines and A Cone. Our acre of land slopped and then went up a hill to our barn. I drove closer to our 2-story home with our wide expansive red deck. My husband Nick chose the name, Two Pines and A Cone eighteen years ago, for the two pines that loomed 50 feet on both ends of the house.
They represent Nick and me. The cone was our 10-year-old-daughter, Paige. I always smile so grateful to have property I love and can retire at. I parked my semi-new but nethertheless first sport’s car. A Jaquar. I never had so much fun driving. I gave it a quick look then headed up the steps and into the French doors and yelled out, “Nick!”
Silence.
I dropped my purse onto the tiled hallway entry table and walked into the living room. Our fabulous view of Mount Thomas from our floor-to-ceiling window was at its best on this sunny day with clear skies.
Nick had been traveling a lot lately. I usually go with him. I remembered the first time we entered a complimentary hotel suite during one of his speaking engagements. The utermost beautiful fruit basket I had ever seen sat on the end of the table. Overflowing with fresh fruit, expensive cheese, crackers, and gourmet chocolate truffles all wrapped up in a bright blue bow with a “Thank you note”.
There it was…Nick had reached the Top! The star attraction in our business and my life.
“You made it, Nick. You made it!” I hollered, jumping up and down on the bed with my mouth full of grapes and throwing the rest at him.
Of late, he said he was too busy to sightsee (our favorite activity exploring new cities), and it is best that I stay home and make appointments on the phone for his subsequent speaking engagements.
Was that the office line ringing? I ran down the hall to the study. I grabbed the landline phone receiver. Before I could say hello, I heard Nick’s voice say, “Jillie, Jillie.”
“Hey, Nick! Honey, how are you? I say softly as I pull out the office chair and sit down. “Yeah, yeah, really busy. I need another week here.”
“OH? “Well, we need to look at the calendar soon as I have booked many appointments for you. You haven’t called me much, and I miss you.”
For the last couple of decades, the fellow called me more than once a day when we were not working in the office together.
“Jillie, um, yeah, the client is coming today. I could not make it yesterday, so I have got to go. So, I’ll be back at the end of next week.
Dead Air.
I look at the receiver. I put it back to my ear.
I looked at my watch and stood up and out of the chair.
I call back on the landline. A busy signal?
I hang up.