COME BACK

contd.

Until now, I hadn't noticed that I have not taken a single bite but was constantly chewing at my steel spoon. She looked up at me,
"By the way, why are you looking at me like that?." I didn't want to offend Cecily when we were at home, if not watching her eat, sleep and smile are what I always want to do but I always 'respect get privacy'. I smiled shyly.
"You remind me of Miriam Cox." She looked disappointed.
"Oh, it's your late wife again," she said sighing. She took a spoon full and drank.
"By chance, are you jealous?", I asked excited just by the mere thought that she was jealous of an imaginary person.
"Not at all. Why would I?. I just that maybe..."
"I lied. There's no wife - There never was. You're the first and the last woman in my life now. I love to watch you eat"
"What?! What do you mean no wife?"
"Wow, it's a good thing I brought another food pack. You've finished the first and I haven't had anything to eat. Not even a bite." She grabbed the plate.        "Hey, give me that. It's mine."
"No, I won't. I'll eat this as a form of punishment for you lieing to me." She opened the food pack and used her spoon on it.
"Here's to me." She put the spoon to her mouth. I watched her chew and swallow. I salivated. Not for anything but for hunger. As she lifted the next spoon to her mouth I opened my mouth. She saw how frustrated I was and she laughed.
"Alright, let's share it"
"Even if we shared it, it won't be enough," I lamented in my Russian accent. She pulled the plate back.
"Then you would prefer I eat it alone?". I shook my head in the negative.
"No way. Let's share it then."
   I have never shared food in the same plate with Cecily for the past three years of our marriage. I always gave her her space because I thought that was what she needed. All I did was pray but  I did not wait to listen to the LORD so I followed my own lead. Even now, coming to her as another man I think it's not right but I don't want to listen to the still calm voice inside of me - I am faster. She didn't ask why I did not come for tea four days ago and I was happy because I had no good cover story yet. After eating we just talked and I stood to leave.
"Why did you not come for tea?" She has always been intelligent and unforgetful.
"Work," I answered immediately. She nodded.
"Why did you lie about Miriam Coxs?"
"Would you have accepted me?," I asked. "You were fascinating. Your story was fascinating about how you felt. I know someone who felt the same way. I guess your story motivated the lie." She smiled. I did too. She starred at my face as if expecting something. I kissed her cheeks.
"You have a cute smile," I compliment.
"Thanks." There suddenly was a sense of awkwardness so I turned and ran downstairs waving my hands.
  "Goodnight,"she called out.

Just as I came out, my phone rang, it was Ray. I picked.
"Hey Ray, how are ya?"
"How are you son?. Tanya said she talked to you two days ago but she wouldn't tell me what you two discussed. She said I should called you myself. She doesn't know about this call so let's keep it that way. How's Cecily? Have you found her? How is she feeling? Is she dead? Oh no, say something boy. Are you there?." I could not hold it in any longer so I burst out laughing.
"What is it, Matt? Are you drunk?"
"No, sir. I'm not. I'm just...I always knew you loved your daughter. She's fine. She's doing okey. Really she is." I heard him sniff - he was weeping. Ray called out,
"I know that there is something not so good going on that you can't share with me".
"Can I 'not' tell you?," I asked.
"Fine do what you will boy. But tomorrow's Sunday so go to church. I'll text you the address of pastor Nicholas' church.
"Some where did Mr. Raymond Davids go to church?," I asked laughed.
"Since when you and Cecily got married and after two months Cecily did not come running back to us that she could not stay with you. It was then I realized that you must have worked things out. Tanya and I thought 'why not try Matt's GOD. After three years now, it's a miracle that she did not leave." I was already in my hotel room now.
Thanks, Ray. That's some story of encouragement."
"Night son," the said cutting the line. The phone rang again,
"You still have something to say, Ray?" I said picking the phone.
"Evening sir," came the voice.
"Oh, Mr Thomas Max, my forever faithful friend in CHRIST and secretary, how are you?". We both laughed. Although Tom felt for a boss - secretary relationship, we were too informal towards each other, I didn't care. I always talked business over lunch with Tom. Sometimes his wife and him joined Cecily and I over dinner. We were closer than he expected.