Most Wonderful Wife

“Most Wonderful Wife”

“Most Wonderful Wife.” What a concept! So many ways one could go with such a declaration! Before I wander out onto thin ice, let me set some parameters. The expression comes from one who is in the presence of a beautiful woman, one whose happiness and confidence radiates energy and joy. To a young farmer it’s like waking up to a bright sunny day after a long, gentle, soaking rain. From the perspective of this undeserving young man who has no prospects of finding a wife in the conservative natured religious community that he lives near, nothing could be better.

The initial setting of this love-at-first-sight experience is in a bakery/restaurant. Joseph is doing some remodeling work there when he sees Waitress Jill. After some time he works up the courage to ask her out. She agrees. He feels like it’s the luckiest day of his life. He has competition. His name is Ben. Then, surprise! Jill says yes, she would marry Joseph. No lottery winner could feel happier. For almost their entire marriage the land-rich-cash-poor husband commits to keeping her as happy as he found her working in the bakery.

What so attracted Joseph that he was able to overlook other’s negative comments about his wife? (Excerpts from my novel, Baggage Burdens.)

“So, I asked Joseph what attracted him to you?”

“You didn’t!”

“I did.” Mary grins. “I did.” Mary takes a long sip of tea forcing Jill to reveal her burning curiosity.

“And?” Jill leans forward to catch every word from Mary.

“Dying for more flattery are we?” 

“Yes, yes, out with it.”

“Well, he said he loved the way you work.” Jill’s smile diminishes. “He also said you seem very happy. You take a lot of orders and without a moment’s hesitation you can tell anyone about the progress on their order. He said you’re amazing. You move effortlessly like you have energy to spare, like you’re inviting someone else to place another order. He also loves your cooking, particularly your borscht. It’s his favorite.” 

“It’s only what you taught me,” objects Jill.

 “And he finds you very attractive.” Jill’s smile lights up her face. “In particular, he loves it when, at the end of the day, your pony tail disappears. And . . .” Mary takes her time finishing her tea. “I asked him if that was all.”

Jill knows Mary is playing with her. “Come on, out with it?”

“He loves your breasts.”

 “He didn’t say that!”

“He did. He did. His very words.”

They both laugh.

While eating at the Norseman Restaurant, Joseph admires Jill’s hair.

For her birthday Jill styled her hair so it would fall on her forehead and the sides cover her face like stage curtains. Depending how she turned her head at times it appeared as if she were apprehensively peeking out. Jill remembered it as one of her mother’s favorite hairstyles.

“Something wrong?” asks Jill, after they’ve ordered their dessert.

 “Ah, no. I was just thinking about a time I saw you wear your hair this way. It was the first time we went to Mirror Lake. Remember?”

Jill nods.

“I think that is one of my favorite moments.”

“One?”

“Yes, but there were many other times too. I loved watching you take orders at the bakery. No matter how many customers you had, nothing could fluster you.”

“Those were good days,” recalls Jill.

“Yes. And you look as attractive today as you did then.”

The compliment brings a smile to Jill. For a moment Jill glows as if she were back in the bakery.

Jill’s delayed return finds Joseph sitting on a cushion on the rug, sipping the apple cider and staring into the fire. He has angled the love seat closer to the fire. Jill recognizes that she will have to abandon her plans, a quick kiss and straight to bed. Buttoning her housecoat, she grabs a cup of cider and sits with Joseph.

As she settles on the cushion beside Joseph, his arm draws her closer. After gazing into the fire, Joseph says, “That reminds me of you.” He points to the fire.

 “How so?” 

“Well,” he pauses. “It’s so warm, like you. The flames dance all about with endless energy. That was you when you were serving customers at the bakery. I loved watching you.”

“Like the flames?”

“Yes.”

Joseph’s son’s voice yanks him back to the present. “Want more wood?” Daniel points to the glowing embers.

Both Joseph and Jill answer together, Joseph in the affirmative and Jill in the negative. Daniel waits for clarification. Finally Joseph says, “Throw on a few small pieces.” As Daniel responds Joseph says, “It’s been so long since we sat by the fire.”

With his head still resting on her lap, Joseph sees Jill’s hair draping the sides and top of her face. It reminds him of a child wanting to come out and play but is afraid. He searches her eyes for a glint, a playful glint. None appears. He senses Jill knows he’s admiring her. A smile graces her face. ‘A good start,’ he thinks.

Daniel’s voice interrupts again. “You guys sure you don’t want to go to sleep?”

They dismiss his suggestion.

“You hear Amber say good night?”

They both nod.

Daniel grins. “Good night.”

Jill and Joseph respond.

Lucky man this Joseph who possess such a wonderful wife.

Be my valentine

 haiku capsule:

                   

amazing woman     

radiant, energetic

nourishing sun shine

Next blog:    Also A Plauful, Loving Wife

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