The silence of the mountains was so quiet that the only alarm clock we needed was the sound of the birds chirping. It didn’t take too long before my eyes were open, my ears ringing with the sound of the birds in the trees outside our windows. Every once in awhile I’d hear a roar from a lion or bear who lived in the zoo less than a few feet away from the inn.
I nuzzled down into my wife’s neck, unwilling to admit defeat and get out of the bed. The comforter was so warm and I was so relaxed that I didn’t ever want to move nevertheless get up.
“What time is it?” My wife asked, her voice full of sleep.
“I have no idea,” I said into her neck. I picked up my head and gazed at her. “Last night was...”
“Amazing,” she finished. “You are so amazing. This is so amazing.” Her eyes looked around the room, starring at every little detail and then coming back and locking glazes with my own. “Thank you for this, Tay.”
“Only the best for you,” I told her truthfully. “You needed a break very badly. A long relaxing weekend away from everything. If I could have given you a weekend away from everyone I would have, even a weekend away from me.”
“I could never spend a weekend away from you.”
“You know you don’t mean that,” I confessed. I leaned my chin on her neckbone, “you know, I was thinking, maybe you and a friend should go on a weekend getaway. Like go on a girls only weekend or something. Leave the kids with me, go get a massage. You do so much for me, Clare, more than you could ever know, and I love you so much for it.”
“Actually Taylor, I like that idea,” she admitted. “A nice girls only spa break would be great.” She stopped short and blinked slowly. “But, this weekend is not just great, it’s perfect. And perfect is what I want right now.”
I smiled and caught her lips, raising my head. “Did I get to tell you that I called Mr. Jenks?” I laid back down on the bed and crossed my hands over my chest.
“No!” Clare exclaimed, sitting up and holding the comforter to her chest. “What did you say? You and I never made a full decision! Taylor!” She shook my arm excitedly causing the bed to shake. “What did you say? Tell me! Come on! What did you say?”
I smiled up at the ceiling, un-answering the question. It drove her crazy, I could tell. “Well,” I said finally.
“Yes? Yes?”
“I told him I’d be honored...”
Clare shook the bed with excitement and then stopped. “There’s a ‘but’ involved here, I can tell.”
I laughed. “BUT, I’m not sure if I’m suited to play a role like that on Broadway.” I looked at my wife. “Then I told him I knew somebody who could fit a part perfectly.”