Painting by Berthe Marie Pauline Morisot

Seasoning – Part 18

Hannah added a few final touches to dinner, giving the stew a quick stir, dabbing butter on a loaf of bread and placing it in the oven, before departing to her quarters to freshen up. Soon he would be home. She liked the sound of the word, ‘home’. Earlier this week she had felt like such a stranger, and an unwanted one at that. How things had changed in just a few short days!

Henry barely noticed the closing bell at the end of his shift. He gathered his things and shuffled outside with his coworkers, each darting off in a different direction as he hailed a taxi. 

“Yer usual drop off sir,” the cabbie queried, “the Pub on State Street? I hear the cook has a special tonight.”

Henry looked up, recognizing the driver, “No, not tonight Tommy. You can take me straight home.”

“Whatever you say sir. Home it is. Lovely night we’re having, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it certainly is.” Henry leaned back, closing his eyes, imagining her at home, waiting.

Hannah dressed the table with freshly laundered napkins, polished silver and delicate china plates. She prepared dessert, a peach cobbler, and slipped it into the oven next to the loaf of bread which was now golden brown. As she took the bread out, Hannah heard a gust of wind whooshing through the front door. She turned around in time to see Henry coming toward the kitchen. 

He stopped in the doorway and leaned against the frame, smiling. Wisps of Hannah’s hair had fallen softly over her brow and her face was flushed from the heat of the oven. “What a sight,” he thought, “there in her apron and oven mitts, holding a steaming loaf of bread.”

Hannah jutted out her lower jaw, blowing upward to displace the hair covering her eyes. “Well hello! You’re home, and just in time. I’ll have dinner in the dining room in a few minutes. Please take a seat. I’ve poured you a glass of wine.”

“Hannah…,” Henry interrupted her, “it’s just me. No need to fuss. I dare say we are past the fussing stage. How can I help you? I have two good hands. Put them to work.”

Hannah struggled with her emotions. It felt out of place to be so informal with the master of the house, and yet she couldn’t deny how she felt each time he was near. Her resolve quickly melted when Henry stepped behind her, reaching around to take the loaf pan from her hands. She felt his breath on the nape of her neck and the warmth of his body as he leaned against her back. 

As Henry lifted the loaf pan over Hannah’s head he noticed the subtle fragrance of her hair wafting in the warm air. He set the bread on the counter and took a step back when he realized he had been leaning against her. “As I said, I have two good hands, what shall I carry to the dining room for you?”

“Me…” Hannah thought, blushing as she turned toward him, “get a grip Hannah, this is impossible, you know it is.” She stiffened her shoulders and breathed deeply before responding, “Well, if you are determined to help, I could use your assistance with the stew pot. I’ll tend to the rest.” 

“Consider it done.” Henry lifted the cast iron pot and bounded to the dining room. 

Hannah brushed the hair from her face and arranged the other dishes on a serving tray. Henry was standing, sipping wine, when she entered. He quickly placed the wine glass down, relieved her of the tray setting it on the table and pulled out her chair. 

Hannah tilted her head, “thank you,” she smiled, as she started to sit. 

Henry stopped her, pressing his hand on her back.“One more thing,” he interjected, “let’s get this apron off of you.” He slowly untied the apron and slid it from Hannah’s waist. “That’s better. Now you may sit.”

After Hannah settled into the chair, Henry picked up her napkin and placed it gently over her lap. She smoothed it in place before looking up to find his gaze piercing through her. Her neck and face flushed red but she could not look away.

Henry reached for the ladle, “It smells wonderful Hannah. Let me serve you,” he said, scooping a generous portion of stew.

“Stop! Please! This is not right! I should be serving you, sir.”

“Henry, it’s Henry,” he smiled, “please don’t call me sir.”

“Alright…I’m sorry…Henry. Thank you, si…I mean Henry. This has been the strangest week! I’ve been thinking about it all day.”

“And what do you mean by strange, Hannah? I mean aside from our first encounter, and me being such a…well, you know. And then there was the fire. That was certainly strange,” Henry’s chuckled but quickly realized Hannah was upset,  “Oh, I’m sorry. I interrupted you. Please go on.”

“Well, I’ve been thinking about all that,” Hannah blurted. “Maybe it was the storm, or the fire, I don’t know. It’s as if a deep memory, if you can call it that, but how is that possible? Whatever these thoughts are, these feelings…it’s as if they were unearthed somehow and I can’t stop thinking about them…or you.” She looked down, afraid she had said too much.

Henry reached for her hand. “I know Hannah, I know.”

She looked at him, tears welling in her eyes as she curled her fingers around his, “What do you know, Henry?”

He smiled softly, “What I know Hannah, is that I know you. Somehow, I just know you. I don’t know how, and it doesn’t make sense, but I have dreamed about you, about us. When I look into your eyes I remember…”

“You do? I thought I was losing my mind. It’s not just me?”

“No Hannah. It’s not. But please don’t fret. It’s going to be alright. We can figure it out together. For now, let’s have this lovely meal you’ve prepared. You can tell me about your day.” Henry patted her hand and picked up his fork.

Hannah watched him eat. “How could he be so calm?” she wondered, “though her mother had warned her, men and their stomachs…” Henry raised the napkin to his lips, glanced up and grinned. In that moment, the dream, but it was not a a dream at all, it was a memory, flashed through her mind. Her heart raced and her skin tingled.”I remember you too,” she sighed, “oh, I remember…”

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This is Part 19 of a Fiction Series originally inspired by Jane Dougherty‘s Microfiction Challenge. To read other installments click HERE.

Illustration for “A Christmas Carol” by Frederick Simpson Coburn circa 1900

Seasoning – Part 17

Henry lied. He didn’t have an early appointment. He needed time to think, to wrap his brain around the strange things he was feeling. It wasn’t just base attraction. Oh, she was certainly a lovely young woman and her damned determination was rather charming, as well as infuriating. Why did she get under his skin? When he looked at her eyes it was like looking into her soul, strangely familiar, as if they had known each other for an eternity. Henry stewed over this all the way to work in his usual brooding fashion, but once he arrived there was something about his preoccupied, less aloof demeanor that turned the heads of his co-workers.

“Getting an early start, eh Henry?”

“Yes, it appears I am. Good morning Charles.”

Charles stood up from his desk approaching him, “Is everything alright Henry?”

“Fine. I’m fine. It was that damned storm last night. Lightning struck several of my trees catching them on fire. Luckily, the neighbors, my housekeeper and I were able to stop it before it reached the house. I did not get much sleep as you can imagine.”

Charles was not accustomed to Henry being so chatty. His normal reply would have simply been, “Fine. I’m fine.” Clearly, there was something more going on. “Ah yes, the Gordons. I know your neighbors. Nice people. I’m glad you were able to contain that fire. Nasty storm it was. We lost a shutter and a few shingles at our place.” Enough with the chitchat, thought Charles,”and what is this about a housekeeper? When did you employ a housekeeper?”

“I didn’t. It was my sister Helen. Always inserting herself into my affairs.”

“You have a sister?”

“Two, and a brother. I’m the youngest. At any rate, she claims she was protecting her interest in the house. It belonged to our parents you know, and their parents before them.”

Other staff members were leaning toward the conversation now, ears tweaked to catch every detail. Charles, the office gossip, was relishing his role as grand inquisitor. “And, how is that working for you? The housekeeper. I know I’d be furious if one of my siblings hired someone, a stranger, no less, and moved them in right under my nose!”

Henry softened, “Oh Helen meant well. And I must admit, she was right. Having Hannah manage the household has been quite helpful.”

“Hannah you say? Is that your housekeeper?” Charles pressed for more.

“Yes.” Henry noticed that the room had grown quiet and that he was the center of attention. “Well, I best be getting to work.” He darted past a sea of raised eyebrows, slid into his chair and fumbled through a pile of paperwork.

Charles strutted back to his desk nodding at several co-workers. “There is much more to Henry’s story,” he thought, “and I am just the person to pry it out of him.”

Henry kept to himself for the rest of the day. Each minute crept excruciatingly into hours. All he could think about was getting home. Home…where she was waiting.

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To read previous installments of this series click HERE. And as always a shout out to Jane Dougherty who helped me launch this story based on her inspiring microfiction prompts.

Reviving a previous painting prompt for this installment and a shout out to Jane Dougherty for her ongoing encouragement and insight. Read other installments of this story HERE.

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Seasoning – Part 16

After Henry finished breakfast he threw on his overcoat, grabbed his hat and tipped it toward Hannah, “See you tonight then. Remember what I said about the landscapers. Whatever you need. And be sure to get that dress replaced at Jonathan’s.”

“Thank you. I will. I may not make it into town today, but I promise, before the week is out. Have a good da…” Hannah’s words hung in the air as Henry closed the door.

She cleaned the kitchen and checked the ice box and cupboards, making a list of items she needed for dinner. After calling the market with her order, she finished the rest of her daily chores. Finally, it was time to begin work in the garden.

Hannah heard the landscape crew in the front of the house. They were busy removing tree limbs and what was left of the charred trunks.

“Hello,” she called to them from the edge of the yard, “I have more for you to do in back when you’re finished here.”

“Hello Miss,” replied the crew chief, “Mr. Chambers said you might. Where can I find you when we’re done with these trees.”

“I’ll be in the back, in the garden…if you can call it that.”

A second crew member chimed in, “Oh yeah, Chief, you remember that garden. We used to help the missus with clearing and tilling every year about this time.”

“That’s right, Joe. It was one of the nicest gardens in the neighborhood, as I recall. Mrs. Chambers had quite a knack with flowers.”

“Well, I’m hoping to bring that garden back to life,” Hannah smiled, “I’m glad to hear that you are familiar with the place.”

“Yes ma’am, we know it pretty well,” said the chief, “we’ll get you started off right. You’ll probably be needing some topsoil too. We can have that back out here by tomorrow.”

“Oh yes, thank you. That will be perfect!”

Hannah turned to head back when a familiar voice called her from across the lawn.

“You hoo, Hannah dear!” It was Margery, arms laden with a basket and several jars.

“Thought you might be about ready for more fresh eggs. And I brought you some peaches too. Canned them myself last fall. They’re wonderful in a nice cobbler or pie. Do you bake? Well, of course you must! But if you’re interested, I have some good recipes. I’m happy to share them with you. Tried and tested on Mr. Gordon, they are. I’m sure you can tell by looking at him, he loves his sweets.”

By the time Margery had reached Hannah she was out of breath, but still clucking away; something about how many fruit trees they had, adding that she also had jars of apples and pears, some apple butter, and vegetables too, if Hannah was interested.

Hannah chuckled as she took the eggs and peaches from Margery. “Helen was right,” she thought, “Margery is quite a talker.”

“Thank you so much!” Hannah interjected, when Margery paused to take a breath. “These peaches will make a lovely dessert. I was just heading back to the garden, but I’d love to pause for a cup of tea if you’d like to join me.”

“Oh, thank you so much for the invitation, but I’m afraid I am on my way to town. Another time perhaps? I’m dying to hear more about the Waverly Estate. You lived there, isn’t that right?”

“Yes I did. My whole life! My parents still manage the household and grounds.”

“I can’t wait dear! We will have tea soon. But, I’m off. Have an appointment. Mustn’t be late, you know. Ta ta! Enjoy those peaches!”

Hannah brought the eggs and peaches into the kitchen. By the time she went back out to the garden, the landscape crew was waiting for her.

“Well, I can see that it’s been a while since this ground has been worked,” surmised the crew chief scratching his head, “I think we ought to start by removing all of that brush for you and then till the ground so it’s ready for topsoil.”

“Perfect!” Hannah replied. “That will be just perfect!”

“We’ll take care of it for you, ma’am.”

The market delivery boy arrived just as the crew got to work. Hannah directed him to the kitchen to deposit the groceries, sending him on his way with a shiny coin from the tip jar on the counter. She hummed a happy tune as she prepared dinner.

The landscape crew had completely cleared the brush and were tilling the soil when Hannah appeared in the back doorway with a jug of fresh lemonade and a tray of sugar cookies.  As the work crew enjoyed a much deserved break, Hannah closed her eyes and breathed deeply, losing herself in the musky aroma of damp earth that filled the air. “This is what I dreamed of, what I hoped for when I came here,” she thought. Hannah leaned against the door frame crossing her arms to warm herself, “and tonight…”she sighed. Her mind swirled with possibilities.