Going Home

This part is in two pieces. The second half of this part is more adult in nature and will be posted elsewhere. If  you'd like to read it, message me and I'll send you the link.

Part 41

Finding Grace alone in the kitchen Josh smiled at her and said “hey feel like a walk?”

Smiling back at him Grace stood up, “sure.” She sensed a change in his mood and she was pleased to see it. This feeling that things had changed was reinforced when as they stepped outside he reached over and pulled her close giving her a quick but hot kiss.

Looking at him with a smile as he lifted his head Grace asked “what was that for?”

Josh smiled down at her “no reason, just haven’t been able to for a while.”

“Oh okay, well where are we going?”

Turning her to the right Josh pointed toward some out buildings as they start moving in that direction “over there.”

As they walk along Grace tried to make out the buildings that were barely visible in the dark “what are they?”

“Just sheds” Josh said.

“And what’s in them?” Grace asked as they neared the buildings.

Josh shrugged, “don’t know.”

Laughing Grace turned to him as he opened the door to the nearest building and followed her inside closing it behind him, “then what are we doing here?”

“This” he said and moving forward he pushed her up against the wall of the shed. Then moving in so his body was hard up against hers he leaned down and kisses her until the only thing that exists in her world is him.

Going Home

Part 40

As Robert stepped outside he saw Josh sitting on the veranda steps staring out at the night. Taking a seat next to him Robert hoped that by choosing a subject that matters to him he could draw him out and get him to talk. So, with caution, he broached a subject that was obviously close to Josh’s heart. “I like Grace” he said “your mother tells me she’s a police officer too.”

Without looking at his father Josh said “yeah we work together.”

“Well she seems a lovely person and she’s smart, I can tell that.”

“Yeah she is.”

“Have you been together long?”

“A couple of years.”

Looking straight ahead Robert said “well I’m glad you found each other. From what I can see you do a good job of making her happy.”

Turning his head at the unexpected praise Josh looked at his father’s profile for a minute then turning back and looking straight ahead again he said in a quiet voice “thanks.”

After a few minutes Josh broke the silence with a question “you’ve been sick?”

Shrugging Robert played down his recent illness. He was touched by Josh’s concern but he didn’t want his son to feel more guilt, he’d had enough of that to deal with as it was “It was a warning the doctor said and I’m doing my best to heed it.”

Frowning Josh said “do you have any help on the farm?”

Shrugging again Robert chose his words with care. He didn’t want to lie but he didn’t want Josh to worry either. “When I need it” he said.

Turning to look at his father Josh was not entirely sure he believed him but he didn’t feel able to push for answers yet. So standing he said “I’ll see if they’re finished.” Stepping away he headed back inside to find Grace.

As he watched Josh leave Robert sighed. He was disappointed Josh had brought their conversation to an end.

But for Josh things couldn’t be more different. Despite his abrupt departure Josh found for the first time that he was leaving a conversation with one of his parents feeling relaxed. For once he didn’t feel like he was been torn apart and all of a sudden his mood was lighter.

Living La Dolce Vita

Day 6

Leaving Venice

© A Product of Silence

Today I said good bye to Venice. It was sad leaving, but I am excited to see more of Italy now. After getting a boat over to our bus we set off for Florence. 
  

 

Verona

© A Product of Silence

  




Our first stop was Verona. A city that looks a lot like Venice, with similar painted facades on the buildings. In Verona we saw the Arena di Verona, which is a Roman amphitheatre and said to be the third largest Arena in the world. 

Arena di Verona

© A procuct of Silence

  We also saw the balcony at Juliet's house the sight of the famous balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet. This balcony is my profile picture.

After some shopping and a quick lunch at what seemed to be Italy's version of McDonalds, we set off once more bound for Florence. 

Arriving in Florence at about 4.30pm we had to lug our cases down a narrow street that the coach couldn't navigate, to our hotel where we checked in only to find we had to lug them up three fights of stairs as well. The hotel had no lift. The climb however was worth it. The hotel, an old convent, was very beautiful. After catching our breath we set off for a walk into the city centre arriving on the Ponte Vecchio at dusk. The view off the bridge was magnificent. I love Italy. 

The view from the Ponte Vecchio

© A Product of Silence

Going Home

Part 39

On reaching the house again though Robert found the situation was not quite the way he had imagined. Looking over at his son Robert said with pleasure “thanks Josh, this was good.”

But without looking at him Josh said in an impersonal tone “yeah no worries, it was good to see the farm again.” He was still struggling to come to terms with this new contact with his parents. Even though he accepted their explanation, he was not ready to drop his guard entirely. He had had it up too long.

Robert was disappointed in Josh’s response but could understand that it was going to take more than one conversation to repair the damage caused by such a long separation and so many misunderstandings. So swallowing his unhappiness he left it there and led the way back into the house.

Later as they finish dinner Grace offered to help Margaret clean up but Josh, not ready to be part of such a domestic scene, thanked his mother for the meal and took his beer out onto the veranda.

Watching him leave Robert decided to try again to make some head way, and picking up his own drink he followed his son outside. Over the course of the day he had watched Josh and had noticed how he behaved with Grace. He was different with her, less intense more playful. He’d give anything to see that side of him again when he was interacting with them but he could see that was going to take time.

Unwanted Guest

Part 3

My husband quickly formulated a plan. He would get some rolled up newspaper and I would get a long stick with which I was to encourage the little guy to show himself. My saviour would then be ready to render him unconscious with a well aimed swipe. However things didn’t quite work out that way.

Using the stick I made him show himself, however he was quicker than my husband had anticipated and he managed to scurry past him heading in my direction. This once again set me off and prompted me to climb onto the bench. From my elevated position I then watched with amusement as my husband crawled around on the kitchen floor trying to hit the fast moving little monster. All I could think was how much we looked like the typical cartoon of the woman standing on the chair screaming, while the creature ran around underneath. I haven’t laughed so much in a long time. 

Finally the critter got the best of us and disappeared under the dishwasher where we found, under an adjacent cupboard, a hole leading under the house. He had won. My husband sat back on his heels, his fists on his thighs as he worked to get his breath back. He looked the very picture of dejection. However after licking our wounds we realised all was not lost. While he had got away, we had achieved one objective, he was out and now we needed to ensure he wouldn’t be getting back in. So while I kept watch, my husband raced off to buy some spray foam to fill the holes. Thankfully we never saw the furry little rodent again, but I no longer scoff at those women perched high above, as a mouse runs around the floor beneath them, to my disgust I found I was that woman.

Unwanted Guest

Part 2

By now I was laughing and screaming in equal measure. I did not want this thing loose in the house but I had no idea how to catch him. So not knowing what to do, I did what every hysterical woman does. I rang a man to ask for instructions. So much for me being a mature, capable, independent female, that idea went straight out the window, along with my pride. 

The unfortunate male in question was my husband, who was at work. While I was on the phone the critter would stick his little nose out every so often. But by accident I managed to find a way to keep him contained. Every time he showed his face, I would scream and he would turn tail and go back the way he came. Can’t say I blame him really. 

So my husband, god bless him, faced with a hysterical wife screaming down the phone at him said he would come home and save the day. I just had to hold the fort for the thirty minutes it would take him to get there. Needless to say by the time he got there I was hoarse. However at least now I had help.

Unwanted Guest

We had known for some time that we had a rather unwelcome guest in our panrty. He had left undeniable signs of occupation. Naturally we objected. The only trouble was, catching him in order to issue the eviction order. We had packed everything in plastic containers to ensure we weren’t feeding him and set traps to catch him, but to no avail. Then one morning I had just packed the kids off to school and was walking through the kitchen when I heard a scratching noise coming from the pantry. Now I can tell you I did not want to open that door, but as this was the closest we had come to getting rid of him and I was home alone, I decided I needed to give it a go. So gathering my courage I looked into the pantry. 

On doing so I noticed my son had forgotten to put his cereal back in the plastic container and there the box was sitting with the top open. I watched and listened for a minute and sure enough the box moved. Now I was in a quandry. We had been trying to catch this guy for weeks without even a sighting and here I was with him trapped in a box. I couldn’t just leave him there, so taking a deep breath I picked up the box folded the flaps over the top and made for the back door. However I had hardly taken a step when the little blighter moved the card board against my hand and like a true girl I screamed and dropped it. Needless to say he didn’t hang around long and with dismay I watched him scurry under the fridge.