Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Husband and Wife (08/08/14)
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TITLE: Willing to Learn | Previous Challenge Entry
By Anita van der Elst
08/13/14 -
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She’s the one who chooses the books at the library. Not always coming up with an author they both like but when she does, they playfully fight over who gets to read the next one first.
Dooley, pulling a t-shirt on, comes in and sits on the end of the bed where Tanya’s left foot protrudes from the sheets. Her toes knead into his thigh. He slides his hand under her heel and cradles it, and then thumbs the ball of her foot.
“Aaaaah, you know how to win a girl’s heart, don’t you?” she says.
“Yep,” Dooley grins. “You know I’ve always been a sole-winner, right?”
Tanya sticks her other foot into his hands. “Well, Pastor Dooley, work on converting this other sole too.”
It’s a time-worn joke but it’s their joke.
Dooley continues the massage. “Was I right about that book?” he asks.
“Sure were.”
“I like this time in our lives, honey,” Dooley pats her shin. “And I like that we’re still friends—that we were able to hold onto the priority of that while we were raising our kids.”
Tanya slips a bookmark in place.
“Oh, sorry,” Dooley says. “I’ll let you get back to reading.”
“No, I’d rather chat with you, honey. I can read later. And I like this time in our lives too. The empty nest works well for me. I loved having our kids and raising them and it was a great time,” Tanya giggles. “But we had fun as two crazy youngsters ourselves before our kids came along.”
“Yep, and now we’re two crazy old fogies, still in love with each other,” Dooley studies his wife’s toes, giving them each a gentle pinch. “From tip to toe, you’re my girl.”
“Wouldn’t have it any other way, darlin’.”
A halfway sheepish grin crosses Dooley’s face. “Let me tell you, I ‘m fully aware that it’s taken effort, putting up with me all these years. When you said, ‘I do,’ I’m sure you had no idea of all you’d have to do!”
“We figured that out together, you big galoot. That was one of the keys,” Tanya says. “Admitting neither of us had all the answers.”
“So true. I think I read something about that just this morning.” Dooley leans over to his side of the bed, grabs his One Year Bible from the nightstand and thumbs through it. “Here it is: ‘Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn’t really know very much.’ First Corinthians eight verse two.”
“Oh, very nice, honey! Don’t forget another key—being willing to learn.”
“Could I suggest we never stop learning, my dear?”
Tanya grins, “I’m all for that! Forthwith we shall proceed with getting our PhD in marital bliss.”
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I really enjoyed the loving banter between these two characters. There is an enrichment in marital bonds after children have left the nest, and sweet memories to cherish.
There was one or two places I felt the dialogue might not be quite realistic enough. But other than that, I feel that this is a fine piece. Keep on writing and entering!
God bless~