Great Expectorations

Maureen J. Long

 

 

John Koenig pulled the slick red Corvette into the driveway of his country club colonial home.  He turned the car off and threw his old navy blue baseball hat into the passenger seat.  He quickly checked the folded khaki soft drop top before collecting the dozen long stem red roses that lay across the console.  He was late, as usual.  His job as Space Commissioner required that he attend meetings and other events that sometimes ran long into the night.  Tonight was no different; a last minute meeting had kept him past six.  As he unlocked in the front door, he was still miffed about the meeting.  Apparently those in attendance either didn’t realize it was Valentine’s Day or didn’t have anyone to share it with since they insisted on debating the same issue over and over.  But he was home now and determined to put all that behind him and enjoy and evening with his wife and children.

 

“Daddy!”  His children screamed in unison as he came through the door.  Each child demanded a hug before continuing on at their game.

 

John stepped over a sea of abandon toys as he made his way into the kitchen.

 

“Helena?”  He called.

 

“In here.”  Her voice trailed out of the den.

 

John placed the flowers on the kitchen counter.  When he rounded the corner of the den, he saw her standing with hands full of colored plastic building blocks.

She looked stressed. 

 

“Rough day?” 

 

Gracing him with a soft smile, she crossed the room and tossed the blocks into a plastic container. 

 

“It could have been better.”  Despite the fact she was smiling,  Koenig could see distress.  He pulled her into a hug breathing in the scent of …of…Lysol?

 

“Something happen today?” He released her.

 

“Sammy has a stomach bug.”

 

John glanced toward the door of the den.  “That kid that greeted me at the door is sick?”

 

“Yes, that kid.”  Helena chuckled.  “He’s spent most of the day throwing up.  As soon as his stomach was empty, he quit throwing up. I think I’ve cleaned every sheet, towel and carpet in the house. It doesn’t seem to have effected his energy level.” 

 

John smiled, that explained the Lysol smell.

 

“Is he fine now?”

 

Helena pushed a lock of hair from her eyes.  “I think so.  As long as he doesn’t eat solid food until morning, he should be okay.”

 

“Great.  I brought you a little surprise.”  He took her hand and led her back into the kitchen.   John gently lifted the bouquet of roses and handed them to her.  “Happy Valentine’s Day.”

 

Helena looked down at the roses then up at John.  She’d been so busy with Sammy that she’d completely forgotten what day this was. 

 

“Thank you.”  She placed a kiss on his cheek.

 

“I did have reservations for dinner but as usual my meeting ran late.”  He smiled sheepishly.

 

“That’s okay.”  Helena looked down at her clothing.  “I’m not really dressed for dinner.”

 

John took her hands and lead her through the kitchen and into their bedroom.  “Why don’t you have some time for yourself.  Slip into a warm bubble bath, read, relax and regroup.  I’ll take care of dinner and when you get out we’ll celebrate.”  He kissed her softly, patted her bottom and pushed her into the bathroom.

 

Helena filled the tub with her favorite bubble bath and slipped down into the water with her book.  Half an hour later a soft knock at the door drew her attention away from the book. 

 

“Come in.”  She called.

 

John opened the door and stuck his head in.  “I just wanted to let you know that dinner is almost ready.”

 

“Hmmm….thanks.” She shifted in the water giving John a quick peak.

 

John came further into the room.  “Let me wash your back.”

 

Helena leaned forward as John picked up the bath sponge.  “Hmm…that feels good.”

 

“I aim to please.”  He moved the sponge slowly across her shoulders.

 

“Where are the kids?”

 

“Tori is watching a video and Sam’s in bed a sleep.”

 

“Already?”

 

“I guess that bug took more out of him than we thought.  He crawled up in my lap, started to say something, and fell asleep in mid-sentence.”  John cupped his hand and filled it with water.  Bringing it up to her back, he washed off all the soap on her back.

 

“What are you making for dinner?”  Helena breathed deeply.

 

“Steaks.  That okay?”

 

“Anything.” 

 

John kissed the top of her head.  “Why don’t you finish up in here and meet me in the dining room.”

 

He slipped out of the room and went to check on dinner.  As he stood lighting the two tall white candles, Tori padded into the room.

 

“Daddy, can I have some chocolate?” 

 

“Not tonight, Sweetie.  It’s time for bed.”  Koenig scooped her up and began carrying her to her room.  On the way through the kitchen, Tori pointed out the red foil box on the counter. 

 

“Those are my candies.” 

 

“Yes, I know.  You can have some tomorrow.”

 

John finished tucking Tori into bed as Helena stepped out of the bedroom.  They met in the middle of the hallway.  Helena has slipped on a gold satin nightgown with a sweetheart neckline and a long slit along the right leg.

 

John said nothing.  He slid his arm around her waist and directed her into the dining room. 

 

“Dinner is served.”  He said.

 

Helena took her seat and allowed John to serve their meal. 

 

They made small talk during dinner enjoying one another’s company and the silence in their house.

After dinner, Helena cleared the table while John showered. She placed the roses in a vase and brought the bouquet into their bedroom.

 

When John walked into the bedroom, the room was illuminated by miniature candles placed through the room.  He saw the roses on the nightstand and his wife, sans nightgown on the bed waiting for him.  He tossed his towel back into the bathroom then crawled up on the bed.

 

Helena crawled into his lap and pressed her lips to his eagerly.  John returned her kiss with equal zest as he lowered them back down onto the bed.  As their kiss deepened the door to their bedroom opened and a pajama clad two year old toddled in.  Sammy stood patiently by the bed waiting for his parents to acknowledge his arrival.  When they didn’t he called,  “Mama.”

 

John and Helena both jumped and reached about for something to cover themselves with.

 

“Hey big boy.”  Helena was surprised at how calm her voice sounded.

 

“I don’t feel so good.”  Sammy whined as he climbed into his parent’s bed.

 

“Does you tummy hurt?”  Helena reached over on the nightstand and retrieved her gown.

 

“Yep.”  Sammy whimpered. 

 

Helena looked over at John and shrugged, so much for their special night.

 

“Come on up here.”  John moved to allow Sammy to crawl into the middle of the bed.

 

“Daddy…” it was the only word that he managed to get out before he threw up in the middle of the bed and all over his parents.

When he stopped he surveyed the damage and began to cry.

 

“It’s okay.”  His parents said in unison as they each tried to move gingerly on the bed.

 

Helena managed to get out of bed first taking Sammy into the bathroom.  Wearily, John rose and stripped the bed.

A few minutes later, a cleaned up Helena and Sammy emerged from the bathroom.  Helena looked at the state of their bed.

 

“Looks like the bunk bed tonight.”  She said sadly.

 

“Guess so.  I’m too tired to make our bed right now.  How’s Sam?”

 

“He’s better.  Come on, let’s go to bed.”

 

The Koenigs  padded down the hallway to Sammy’s room.  Helena and Sammy slipped into the bottom bunk as John heaved himself into the top.

 

In the darkness,  John whispered to his wife.  “This is not how I expected this night to end.”

 

“Me either.”  Helena whispered.

 

“There’s always next year.”  John said with a yawn.

 

“Next year.”  Helena replied with a yawn of her own.

 

“Happy Valentine’s Day, Sweetheart.”

 

“Thank you.  Happy Valentine’s Day, John.”

 

“I love you.”  Helena barely heard the softly whispered words.

 

“I love you too.”

 

“Me loves you too.”  Sammy added. 

 

John and Helena chuckled softly.  It wasn’t the greatest Valentine’s Day but it was theirs.