COMPANY FOR HIM

by Nancy

“Vincent?”

“Mm?”

I looked up from my book and across the room.  She was at the kitchen island, preparing our supper.  I’d offered to help twice, been refused, and told to sit and relax.

I had to smile at how beautiful she was.  Smile … and try to breathe because … she was mine. 

How amazing is that, I thought.

“Something smells delicious.  A casserole?  And you’re baking bread?”

“What?  Oh,” I’d momentarily distracted her. “Yes, it’s one of William’s best loved recipes.  Here’s hoping it turns out as well as his always does.  And I bought a loaf of refrigerated bread dough yesterday.”

“Do you have to see to them, or can you join me here?”

“Oh, they’ll be fine without me for at least ten minutes.”

I watched her eager approach and stood to hold out my arms.

“I do love you with all that I am.”

She smoothed the hair that lay on my shoulder as she stepped into my embrace, and I knew such … gratitude … as she pressed her body to mine.

“I know that.  And I love you, Vincent.”

I had to kiss her.  More than once.  Until that … breathing issue … paused us.

“How is it, I ask myself so many times each day, that we’ve been blessed with one another?”

“Guess the good Lord thought we deserved … us,” she grinned. “He knew no one else could, or would, fill my heart.  Yes, that must be it.  You were meant for me from our beginnings.”

“At the beginning,” I rephrased her words, “I never dreamed, or imagined, or hoped, or dared pray … for you.”

Her hand had found my cheek, and it felt warm and soft there.

“Guess my nagging was enough then.”

“You nagged … God?”

I could believe it.

“Thankfully, He was unable to resist you,” I whispered, drawing her close for another kiss.

“He had no intention of resisting.  He had you waiting to find me and care for me and love me to … where we are.  This happy place.”

‘Happy’ wasn’t large enough to contain my feelings.

“Let’s sit.  Or are our ten minutes up?”

She backed away, found my hand, and urged me down onto the couch where I’d been reading.

As soon as we were seated, she said, “Vincent, I was thinking of us getting a dog.”

It took me a few long moments to adjust to the new conversational focus.  To be honest, I’d expected more … hugging … and …

“I’m a bit surprised,” I offered, to explain my silence.

“Understandably,” she agreed, “but will you consider it?”

“Catherine, if you wish us to have a dog, we’ll have a dog.  Do you have a particular breed in mind, or would we adopt from a shelter?”

“I thought of an Irish Wolfhound.  What do you think?”

“I don’t know that I’ve ever seen one.  Were you planning on getting a puppy to raise or adopting a full grown …?”

“I have photos and info about the breed.  Just need to check our dinner first.” 

With a grin she was gone from my side, rushing to the kitchen.

Dinner was as delicious as she’d hoped and we enjoyed it with talk of the newest, possible, member of our household. 

It was a very, very large breed, I saw, with kind eyes and a wiry coat.  The size gave me pause, though.  How would Catherine manage this huge canine on a leash?  Perhaps we could exercise him in our back garden. 

I expressed my concerns about feeding him.  She would have to get enormous amounts of dog food at the supermarket and carry it home. 

“There’s delivery service, Vincent.”

That answered one question.  Or … doubt.

“Why such a … big … animal?”

“To be a companion for you.  I can’t really see you with a toy poodle on your lap.”

“But you can see me with this … pony … on my …?”

She laughed aloud.

“Not on your lap.  He won’t be a lap dog, that’s for certain.  But he’ll be with you all the hours I’m at work or busy working at home.”

“Catherine, my love, I don’t need … other … company when you can’t give me your attention.  You are always, always with me here,” I touched my chest, “in spirit.  And perceptibly present to me, wherever you are, so that I need only close my eyes to see you before me.  And it’s not as if I sit alone all day.  I have responsibilities Below while you’re at the office.”

I stood and approached her side of our table.

“Come with me.”

Her hand in mine, I led her back to the living room.  The fire in our stone fireplace had died down, but quieter flames still danced.

“You are the only one I want sitting on my lap.”

Settled, my arm around her, she rested her head on my shoulder.

“Catherine, you must not feel guilty for wanting to help others with your work, for being where I cannot be and doing what I cannot do.  Your efforts, your successes are ours, you know.”

I felt her lips warm at my neck, and leaving a kiss there, she said, “You are the most wonderful, lovable person I will ever know, Vincent.”

“Even if we don’t get an Irish Wolfhound?”

She giggled and kissed my neck again.

“Even if.”

“Good.  Please know that you, my love and my life, you, Catherine, are all the companions, all the friends, all … You are everything.  I want for nothing.  I have you.”

She slipped off my lap and rose, offering me her hand as I’d offered her mine just moments before.

“Since there’s no dog to walk, let’s have dessert.  Ice cream?”

I held her at my side all the way to the kitchen.

____________

for you, H
February 2025