Home

“Tis a fine home Darlin.” A sweep of his leather cape caused the candles to dance shadows on the adobe walls.

Anna let out a small breath. It had taken near a month of searching small shops to bring this vision of a home to reality. Graph’s work kept him traveling. She was unsure of every decision made concerning the house. Anna knew this dwelling was important to Graph. She had wandered through countless estates, noting details, colors, lighting, furnishings and even peeking in pantries. She paced each hall of her new home countless times, inspecting her work from every angle. To Anna it felt like home. It is by far one of the most beautiful villa’s she has seen. Never before had she lived in such splendor. Fine woven rugs of intricate designs hypnotized her. Tactile wools beckoned her to trace the patterns with her finger. Scented flames illuminated the priceless artifacts and paintings. Anna was given all the funds to bring this house to life and he was pleased.

Graph let his eyes wander the room. She could see him analyzing every nook. He swung the heavy cape from his shoulders and neatly placed it across the ottoman. Anna waited. Relief flooded her. Perhaps now, they could plan the travels so often talked about.

Anna stood quietly, head slightly bowed and eyes watching Graph. His hand came to rest upon her cheek. She closed her eyes languishing in this tender touch. He leaned to place kiss softly whispering, “Do you know how much I love you”?

Anna knew his feelings were real. They had met a mere month prior. Call it fate, chance, happenstance, she knew there was more to this man than his open thoughts and beautiful being. Their worlds collided quickly. Many hours were spent watching the dunes from a makeshift camp while the house was under construction. They talked of dreams and reality. They confided and consoled. Graph recently lost his wife after a lengthy struggle against a modern beast. Anna listened as he told of his past, his love, his children now living at his old dwelling. She wanted so much to meet the children. To help Graph with the simple tasks of life however, that occasion was many moons away. He spent most of his time with the babes, as it should be. When life allowed and work didn’t demand, Graph would seek out Anna.

It seemed to her he spoke of love all too quickly. Anna was reserved. She felt her heart beat in time with his. She also guarded it. Graph had a long journey ahead. He was faced with memories of a true love. Haunted willingly by his ghost. Anna knew this. She knew the truths of grief. She wondered at his happiness. He walked an ever-present blade. One side dark, the other light. A slip to either side upsetting the precious balance.

“Now tell me of your day. What mischief have you been up too? His words asked the question but his eyes spoke of other desires.

Days and nights, mornings of lingering pleasures passed. They ran to each other when life allowed. Anna was happy. She forgot his pain. He seemed to be healing. They set a date to emerge from their reclusive meetings. The winds of autumn cooled the evenings. Their rendezvous was to be in the spring. In that season of new beginnings they would share a dance and hide from questioning eyes no more.

Anna spent the majority of her time in the new villa. She maintained it’s pristine appearance and rarely left the comfort of this palace. She had friends over for brandy and quiet conversation. Close companions of many years tried to persuade Anna to attend gatherings. Anna declined. She wanted to be home should Graph brave the journey.

Graph’s time with Anna slowed. Correspondences, once frequent, were now rare. He would contact her briefly from a distant town, inquire as to her being, state that demands required his attention and swiftly depart.

“Perhaps in a few days we can dance Anna.” His voice was that of a stranger. Anna felt him pulling away. She was unsure of his state of mind. Anna wondered and worried and waited.

Days to weeks and joy to pain. Anna sent letters of concern. None were answered save one.

Graph wrote, “The pain I feel threatens to overwhelm me constantly. Emotionally I’m a wreck. I can’t continue with you when I don’t even have a handle on myself. Right now I need quiet in my life and that is what I am trying to achieve.”

Anna understood. The loss of Graph’s wife filled his every thought. He no longer wished to open himself to Anna. Even with understanding, Anna’s pain was real. She sent a final letter, letting him go. Her love for Graph had deepened. She knew this time would come yet the happiness they shared overshadowed this fate.

Anna looked around at the house they had built. A fine house it was. A home it never became. She placed a small token in her pack and turned her back on hope.

Friends came and went. They consoled her, tried to cheer her. She spent her days in a haze of wonder. She spent nights in dreams of what could have been. Anna ventured to the house concerned that it may require attention. Sitting alone on the steps was Graph. She knelt to him. “Graph, are you well? Is there anything I can offer?

He never looked away from the dunes. He spoke not a word. Anna headed to the door only to find it locked. From her pack Anna withdrew a flask of water and moistened the end of her shawl. She gently cleansed the sand from Graph’s face. Tenderly she smoothed back his dark hair and placed a kiss upon his forehead. “All wounds heal in time my love.” Anna remained with him as the sun set. Two people alone in the world. Both waiting.

Spring arrived with vibrant colors and breezes fragrant with blooms. Anna made her pilgrimage to the house. Ritualistically, she cleansed Graph. Words were never spoken. Graph’s eyes never left the sea of sand.

Seasons changed, years passed. Anna never relented in her visits. She softly washed the grains from Graph’s lips. Smoothed back his silver hair and placed a kiss upon a wrinkled brow. Anna’s daughter accompanied her to the desert. The daughter sat, arm around Anna as three waited for the sun to meet the horizon. Strong arms sweetly escorted Anna away. Anna felt warm tears fall to her neck. She looked into her daughter’s eyes, smiled and slept.

The heat of the sand caressed Anna’s bare feet. She ran to Graph, bright green eyes reflecting a forever spring. “Graph. You must wake now. We have company. There is one here to hold you that has waited longer than I. Awake my dear. The wait is over.”

Behind Anna the silhouette of a young woman appeared. She walked to Ann. Two pairs of arms embraced each other. The two ladies turned to Graph. Together they cleansed Graph. Two voices, singing in soft harmony.