by Gavin Green
***
Foregoing the shower that usually followed after their carnal exertions, Brody wanted to show Kate her completed sitting area before the sun completely set. They hastily dressed in sweats, jackets, and wellies, and walked hand in hand out to her favorite spot, recently finished. She was taken with the final work, but light-heartedly chided Brody for taking his sweet time getting around to it.
They sat in comfort and spoke of simple things while the sky deepened in shade and the clouds varied in hues; pink, orange, violet, and finally relenting to grey. Kate couldn't remember ever feeling so relaxed, so blissful, and Brody was happy to see the contentment in her eyes and posture.
Before most of the residual warmth of the day yielded to cold night air, Brody told Kate of the new plans he'd thought of, and set some into action already. She thought they were wonderful, generous ideas, and they discussed particular aspects of each. He pointed out parts of his plans where she'd be very helpful.
More was mentioned of Kate's ideas for financial tactics, but she remained vague, explaining that her research was nearly complete and would show Brody her proposal when all the details were set.
Kate then inquired if those were the topics that Brody wanted to discuss, mentioned earlier in the day. Shaking his head, he escorted her back inside to escape the cooling night air to talk about what was foremost on his mind.
The couple sat at the kitchen table as a pot of apple and parsnip soup slowly warmed on the stove. Facing each other, Kate became worried in seeing Brody's face and nimbus in silent turmoil. She reached across and softly grasped his large, rough hands with her own. He briefly looked up with a pained smile, but said nothing. Small delicate fingers gently squeezed his strong, burly, callused digits, imploring Brody with the simple gesture to say whatever was gnawing at him. Kate hoped he would speak soon; the longer he waited, the more her unfounded fear grew.
Brody released a deep breath and looked into those large, warm russet brown eyes. "You know I love you, right?" he began.
Kate's eyes widened with dread. Slowly pulling her hands free of his, she murmured, "Oh hell."
"What?"
With her eyes facing the table, she explained, "When a conversation starts off like that, it usually doesn't end well."
Brody took Kate's hands back in his. She hesitantly looked up and saw him frowning at her. "Would you knock it off?' he said with a stern tone. "Do you think I'd ask you to live with me… ask you to quit your job so I could have you more to myself, to be there for each other at any time, only to turn around and say it isn't working?"
Kate dropped her gaze to their entwined hands. "Sorry, but those first words put the heart crossways in me. It's just that I've never been so happy. I didn't know I could feel this good all the time. That is, em, most of the time; now and again I'm afraid all this is a dream and I'll wake up."
Brody pulled a thumb and index finger away from their grasp and gave her smooth skin a pinch.
"Ouch!"
He reclaimed her hands with his. "There, now you're awake. You're in the place you love - our home. That aroma is the tasty food you made in our kitchen. You're holding hands with the man who you've made happier than he's ever been. I'm not going anywhere, darlin', not without you. And how this conversation ends is up to you, okay?"
Quite placated, and even with a small smile, Kate nodded.
Brody tried again to collect his words. "There's something that sometimes makes me... anxious, and I don't know how you'll react to it. I just figured that I shouldn't hold anything back. I mean, we agreed to be honest, and this is important to me."
Kate tightened her grip. "Did I do something wrong?"
He shook his head and looked away. "No, not you; or, maybe... kinda you, but it's not like you did anything wrong. Shit, I don't..." Brody looked back to her. "It's your gift - your nimbus sight."
Kate wasn't expecting that revelation, and it made her both curious and defensive. "I think it has been quite helpful, and in some cases very much so. I've gotten closer with my mam, and improved my understanding of any problems of the people in my life. It has helped me to avoid people with dark feelings, and a better chance to help someone who is hurting in some way. I think my new gift has helped me be a better person, someone who could help people, like you try to do."
Brody rubbed her hands in his. "Kate, relax. I think it's a gift, too. Otherwise, I wouldn't call it a gift. We've talked about how your nimbus has helped you out a lot, and I'm happy that you're more confident because of it."
She cocked her head and frowned. "Then what part of all that is bothering you?"
He patted her hands, released them, and went to the stove. He stirred the delicious-smelling soup for a few moments in silence. Brody then edged over to lean against a wall and stuffed his hands in his pockets. "I've always been kind of a private person. You know, kept things to myself, never let many people in."
Kate turned in her chair to face him. "And, you feel like my special sight violates your privacy?"
Brody shrugged. "I guess, sometimes... yeah."
She thought a moment before asking, "You know how sometimes you'll catch me looking at you?" He pursed his lips and nodded his head. "Brody, that's just me being in love - it’s a big part of that grand dream feeling I mentioned, and it's also longing and lust and just being completely yours. I'd like to think when I see you looking at me in that way, it's for the same reason, yes?"
He nodded again with a grin. "Yeah, it is."
Kate walked over to Brody, her eyes searching his after she pressed herself against his large muscular form. "I'm not constantly gauging your emotions. In fact, those times are rare. But now and again my gift will alert me to a bold color, one I wouldn't normally see from you, and I want to help if it's a dark feeling. As I'm sure you know, part of love is concern and worry. I know you've had some dark times in your life lately, and I just want to ease that pain. I hate to see you upset, love."
Brody smiled before he leaned down to kiss her soft, receptive lips. "I understand, darlin', and thank you for telling me that. I felt bad for bringing it up, but without asking I might have felt like it was..." He frowned in thought.
"Spying?"
"Yeah; kind of an ugly word, but pretty much. Ever since you moved in, though, I doubt there've been many times that you've seen me with dark moods, have you?"
Kate rested her cheek on his strong chest. "Only when you've been irritated with The Other Crowd, or when you're mourning your losses. And, no, those haven't been often."
Brody wrapped his arms around her. "I gotta admit that when I said it was... them, sometimes it was. Other times it was feeling vulnerable because of your sight, which is basically because of them."
She pulled back enough to look up at him. "Fair enough; I suppose you really didn't lie. But no more vague replies if I ask out of concern, alright? We agreed to honesty."
He pulled her back into his embrace. "Agreed, but let me have some space when my mind gets to thinking about my family, or people who were like family, okay? I need to let that work itself out."
Brody felt Kate's head nod under his chin before she said, "I know you're not accustomed to it, but talking about it could help ease the pain."
"Kinda like the talk we're having right now?"
Kate moved away to give the soup a quick stir. "Exactly, and don't you feel better?"
He moved past her to the cupboard and set out bowls. "About your gift, yes, but just let me deal with those losses in my own way for now. I know you're there if I need to... verbalize it."
She turned to him, stirring spoon in hand. "So, have I calmed your concerns?" After a quick pause, Kate added, "We're okay?"
Brody crossed his arms with a ceramic bowl in one hand and said with a smirk, "Well, I will be as soon as you stop yammering and feed me, woman."