Wish Upon A Star

As I finish cleaning the last dish from dinner, I feel a strong hand on each of my shoulders, squeezing them tight. His breath in my ear whispers, “Are we on for tonight?”

I turn around to look him in his gorgeous hazel eyes. “Absolutely.” I dry my hands on the hand towel next to the sink and walk over to the tea kettle, pouring a cup of matcha for me, black tea for him.

“I grabbed you a fork. Come sit down.” We both pull a chair out from the dining room table at the same time, creating a harmonious squeak across the floor. “These floors will never be like they were when we first moved in,” he says. “Maybe we can get this redone before we sell the house.”

“Why do you want to sell the house?” I ask, with a crumb of graham cracker crust lingering on my lips.

“I’ve been thinking about it lately,” he replied, thoughtfully considering the question. “One day, the kids will be gone, and it will just be the two of us. Then we can move somewhere and buy a sports car with the kids’ inheritance!” Amused by his own sense of humor, he laughs, and sits back in his chair. He sighs deeply as he leans back in a casual fashion.

I smile in his direction. “I want to get out and walk the dog before the sun goes down.” I walk over to him, and put my hands around his neck. “It is so nice to be able to hold you again,” I whisper in his ear. He squeezes me around the waist, both of us now enveloping one another in a lover’s embrace.

Immediately the dog runs in between us, creating a chasm neither of us ever find easy to overcome. He lingers there, in the midst, panting loudly, full of energy for the walk ahead.

He chuckles at the dog, amused by its behavior. “Yes, we didn’t forget about you, did we? No, we didn’t!” He roughs up the fur on his back, riling the dog up even further, culminating in a loud bark.

“Oh, how can we forget you?” I grab his leash and collar. “Let’s go, boy. I think things will be okay here without us for a little while.” I put on my coat, as my husband walks to the door. “I’ll see you when you get back.” He gives me a kiss on the lips. “I can still taste the cheesecake,” he replies, causing both of us to erupt in light laughter. “The fun never ends, does it?” I say, waving to him as I close the door behind me.

Stepping outside, I look up into the sky, seeing the first stars coming out for the evening. I utter quietly to myself, “I wished, and it came true. Thank you, God.” I smile again, ready for the outdoor adventure. “Ok, puppy dog, let’s go!”

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Check out my latest edition of the book I wrote twenty years ago called The Gift of a Rose: Witness to a Transformation.” It is a compilation of prose and some meditation I wrote as I was going through my experience as a metastatic breast cancer survivor. Let me know what you think!