Broken Hearts

Chapter 9

I finished my work and went down to have a glass of raspberry lemonade. It was my absolute favorite, and Mrs. Murray had perfected her recipe.

Justin came walking in. His hair was disheveled, and his shirt was covered in dirt. He had been helping Mrs. Murray with the rotation of some of the garden beds.

Looking at him, he always had a curious glint in his eyes. Paying attention to the glass in my hand, I sipped on the cool liquid.

"How's your day going, Ashlyn?"

"Quite productive, thank you."

Looking out the window, I could see the sun would be getting ready to set. This meant dinner needed started. Maybe tonight would be the night. Was David going to keep to his word?

My nerves hummed with nervous energy.

Mrs. Murray came walking in with fresh corn on the Cobb.

"If I may, can we have burgers? I can grill them." Justin asked.

He looked so hopeful, I couldn't tell him no.

"That sounds really good. I think we have everything we need?"

Having been so focused on what was going on, I wasn't fully paying attention to my surroundings. Taking a step down from the sun room to the porch, I nearly landed on my behind.

I caught myself on the door frame, luckily.

Justin looked at me with concern.

"I am fine." I told him.

"I didn't say anything." He pointed out.

"No, but your face did."

He laughed before he walked outside and around to the side of the house where we had a massive grill.

He got it going, and I could smell the coals burning. The front porch was the perfect place for me to sit and look out onto the land. I couldn't see the main road, that could be seen from the side window of the house. I wasn't going to sit at it and wait for my husband to come home like a lost puppy.

If he was going to come home, he would. Otherwise, he wouldn't. There was nothing I could do about it. However, I knew if he didn't show up tonight, I was going to have some strong words for him. I'm tired of being disappointed. I've been a dutiful wife. Quiet, poised, and gracious. It was his turn.

The smell of burgers filled my nose. It was welcoming. It made me remember all the bbqs we had over the years. The sound of laughter and joy as our friends and family surrounded us. My grandmother's potato salad. Uncle Chuck's smoked jalapeños. That gave me an idea.

David always loved them. I had fresh jalapeños and I still had the recipe memorized.

Getting up quickly, I moved into he kitchen. Grabbing 4 large jalapeños, I started cutting them open. This allows the smoke to permeate the entire jalapeno.

Heading outside, I started the smoker and put the tray of jalapeños into the device. Uncle check always said adding them as soon as the smoker was turned on was best. My grandpa always used to argue that I needed to wait until the smoker was to temperature. Rather than taking sides, I always did it differently. David preferred Uncle Chuck's, so I was using his method this go around.

"What are you making?" Justin looked over and asked.

"Smoked jalapeños. It's one of David's favorites."

"That's thoughtful of you."

We talked a while longer, discussing my uncle's method. He was very intrigued by the concept behind the two recipes. It was nice. My world wasn't so quiet anymore. Justin was a very good conversationalist.

"So tell me, how did you two end up here?" I was a bit confused by his question.

"What do you mean?"

"Whats yours and Mr.Brooks story?"

I sat and told him of how David and I met, dated, and eventually married. We talked about how the company got started and then about some of my fond memories with David.

By the time I finished telling the story of the time we got into trouble from breaking into a haunted house, dinner was done. Justin looked like he had a question but instead chose not to ask.

Just as we were bringing in the food, David came walking in the door. I had been so busy talking with Justin that I hadn't noticed David.

I gave him a big smile. He gave me one back, but it was smaller and seemed half-hearted.

"How was work, honey?"

Walking up to him, I gave him a peck on the cheek.

"The usual. What is all this?"

He seemed happily surprised at the food sitting on the table.

"Is that your Uncle Chuck's smoked jalapenos?"

"Yes, I wanted to make something special for you." I said cheerfully.

"Thank you."

His words stunned me. It had been so long since he had been thankful for anything I've done.

We all took a seat. Mrs. Murray had made peach tea and was filling each of our glasses.

Delightfully, we ate. Each of us is consumed by our taste buds bursting with flavor. The tea cooled my burning tongue as I finished the last of my jalapeno.

"These are amazing." Justin exclaimed.

His mouth is partially full of a jalapeno.

"Her uncle is a miracle worker with food." David responded.

He ate away at his second jalapeno before munching down on his burger. It overflowed with mayo, mustard, ketchup, kosher pickles, and juicy hamber patties. There was also cheese, onions, lettus, and tomatoes. It was absolutely massive. The condiments fell from the backside of the berger onto the plate. The juices also fall and pool onto his plate.

Everything was perfect. David was home, and I was surrounded by good people.

I knew this wasn't going to last, but I'm thankful for every moment I get.

Rather than being sad for what was to come, I was going to be thankful. David working so hard was the reason I got the privileges I have. Some wives are working themselves to death trying to provide for the household. I got to work at my own pace, garden, and be leisurely.

Looking at David, I gave him a big smile as he took a drink of his tea. His eyes met mine, but for just a moment, they felt foreign. In an instant, they changed back to the eyes I know.