The Idylls of March

Chapter Three - James

Chapter Three - James

Ground-plans for the latest phase of the work outspread on the dining room table, Richard and I work through our itinerary. Or to be accurate, we try to work.

Richard consults his notes. “Item sixteen. Where are we with the ground works for F-site? You were hoping to have them completed by next week as I recall.”

“We’re still on schedule and…”

I’m cut off by another rendition of Charlotte’s siren song. Richard raises eyes as though he can see through the ceiling to the bedroom above. “Doesn’t that man ever get tired? For that matter, doesn’t she?”

“Not that I’ve noticed. They’re both young and healthy and determined. I think we simply have to ride it. It can’t be long now before he succeeds in getting her pregnant. After that, things should calm down.”

“I suppose so.” Richard blows out his cheeks, pushes spectacles up his nose. “You were saying, James? F-site?”

I trace a fingertip over the work area, outlining the boundary. “On the north side, we’re all but complete. To the east…”

Another wail echoes along the hall, quickly joined by the percussive headboard accompaniment. The chandelier rattles.

Beth enters, carrying a tray with coffee pot and mugs. She pauses. "What's wrong with you two?”

Richard snatches off his spectacles, slaps them down on the table. He jerks a thumb upward. “It's very difficult, Elizabeth, to think with your head when there's a woman in the background making sounds like that. The blood that should be powering my brain is all the while headed south."

Beth dimples. “Perhaps we should go and do something about it? Maybe Charlotte and Michael need some assistance.”

Richard throws me a glance. “Thank the lord for understanding wives.”

I stand, adjusting the fit of my pants. “Amen to that. Richard, would you like to bring your sub with you. I think my sub needs a little subduing.”

*****