Summer Breeze

“Hey Stan, you wanna stop by Tony's with me and some of the guys for a brew? It's been a long ten hours down here in this dark, damp and smelly mine.”

“Nay, not tonight man. I got a date with my wife.”

“You and Adeline stepping out on the town?”

“Nope, just a quiet evening at home soaking up the sweet summer evening breeze with my babe.”

“Alright,” says Kyle. “See you Monday. Say hi to Adie.”

“Will do.” I shout as I hop in my truck and crank on the radio. Perfect timing. My favorite song blares from the speakers.

Summer breeze makes me feel fine

Blowing through the Jasmine in my mind.

I can't sing. But, I scream out the lyrics anyway. I probably chased away any living creature within a five-mile radius. I don't care. It's Friday night. I have the weekend off. And I'm headed home to the best thing that has ever happened to me.

See your smile a-waiting in the kitchen...

The song continues to play, and I continue to belt out the tune.

Six miles later I pull up to the front of our little one-bedroom house surrounded by a white picket fence.

A beautiful Red Maple shades part of the yard and our deck. Adeline loves flowers so we put in a flower bed consisting of Day Lillies, Cone flowers, and Black-Eyed Susans. It's in line with the front of our beige house under the two windows.

Stepping out of the truck I see our neighbor Hank sitting out on his front porch in his wooden swing. There's a PBR in his left hand and his transistor radio on the small table softly playing 'Brandy'.

“Evening Hank,” I salute with a hand wave gesture.

“Back at cha Stan.” Hank acknowledges with a nod of his head and a toast of his beer. “Nice evening.”

Through the window a golden glow radiates from the stone lamp on the stand, softly reflecting Adeline in the kitchen. As I approach the screen door, I pick up the rolled-up newspaper lying on the sidewalk. Stepping through the front door I place my lunch box on the side table and hang my jacket on the hook. I turn and slowly begin walking toward the kitchen.

She hears the creeek of the screen door. Her lips curl in a most beautiful smile. She fumbles at the strings of her pink flowered silk apron and runs to me. Warmth encompasses us as she wraps her arms around my neck. Lifting her up we twirl around in circles like a couple of young teenagers. Laughing and giggling as she places warm kisses on my forehead and cheeks. I let her down and tenderly embrace her. Our lips meet in a most intimate way.

“I love you and I've missed you,” she whispers.

“I love you and missed you too,” I softly reply.

She takes me by the hand and dances me into the kitchen.

“I made your favorite.”

“I know. The aroma hit my nostrils before I even got out of the truck. You make the best fried chicken. Everything looks and smells so delicious.”

“Thanks babe. Only for you. The apple pie is cooling on the windowsill. Go take a shower and freshen up. I'll have a beer waiting for you when you come back.”

As she promised a beer was waiting for me on the coffee table along with the evening newspaper. I cracked opened the brew, took a swig, grabbed the paper turning it to the sports page, and leaned back on the sofa. Within a few minutes I fell asleep.

Dreaming of the sweet scent of Jasmine I watch Adeline running barefoot through fields of wild-flowers. Her blonde hair blowing in the warm summer breeze. Her summer dress of vibrant yellow twirling gently as the wind whips through the shear soft material. I reach out to touch her hand, but I'm awaken by soft kisses up and down my exposed neck.

“Huum, you smell nice baby,” she cooes.

“Come here.”

I carefully pull her over the back of the sofa and begin to slowly caress her. First up and down over her soft arms. Then making my way to her small but firm breasts which fit perfectly in the palm of my hands. I gently massage them bringing her to intense pleasure.

She breathlessly sighs, “dinner's ready.”

“It can wait.” I utter as I take her hand and lead her into our bedroom. There we make passionate love not holding anything back. The music from Hank's radio drowns out any moans, groans and heavy breathing. Within minutes Adeline has reached her point of no return. We lay wrapped in each other's arms for a few precious moments. Then she asked me, “Are you hungry?”

“I famished. Let's go eat.”

Our little table positioned against the wall near the corner of our petite kitchen is decked out in a lace linen cloth. Two pink candles (her favorite color), and a place setting for two are strategically placed. I help her put the chicken, mashed potatoes, asparagus, and fresh garden salad on the table. The pie is still cooling on the windowsill.

After dinner we sit out on our small deck eating our pie and reminiscing about our last two years together and how blessed we are.

“Life can't get any better than this. A beautiful sunset, a warm July breeze gently blowing and the love of my life by my side.”

She reaches over and takes my hand in hers as her baby blue eyes peer into mine.

“What is it Adie? You're scarring me.”

“I have something to tell you.”

“What?”

She gently squeezes my hand.

I wrap both my hands around hers and hold them tightly.

“Whatever it is babe, we can get through it.”

“Oh babe, it's nothing like that.”

“Then, tell me.”

“You ready to be a daddy?”

“You... Are you...?”

“Yes, I'm pregnant.”

Tears well up in my misty brown eyes. Mind you, I'm not a cry baby. But this, this is a miracle. This is crazy. I'm going to be a daddy.

“Stan? Hey babe. Are you OK?” I question, tenderly touching his cheek and rubbing a tear from his eye.

“I'm better than OK, I bellow as she brings me out of my daze. I'm gonna be a dad!”

Giggling I pat her belly,

Seven months later we welcome our sweet little daughter Jasmine Summer Crandell