Imaginings

Her husband Ralph would think she was foolish. To stop in the midst of their run to look longingly at the house they would never have. Out of breath, he wiped his face and neck with the already saturated cloth he carried with him. “We’re going to take a different route, Nancy. You know that looking at that house isn’t going to help, honey.” He did feel sorry that he couldn’t buy her the house. It was old anyway and probably needed a lot of work. “But Ralph, just look at that bay window. Is it a beautiful dining room, with oak furniture, or a quiet sitting room. Can’t you just imagine the parties we could have; or the books I could read by that window? And when the vines are full and green, and in the fall beautiful red……..” Her voice drifted off on the breeze. “Come on, honey. Let’s keep on. Your mom and dad will be here and trying to find us.” Putting his arm around her, they started walking and in a few steps continued their jog home to their tiny apartment. 

“You go on up, I’ve got a call. Be up in a minute.” Nancy’s parents were at the door of the apartment house. “Mom! Dad! No hugs yet. I’m all sweaty. Come…….Ralph will be up in a minute.”

Her husband didn’t have an incoming call. He felt badly about his little white lie. “I don’t know how I’ll do this, I can’t see her crying any more.” He punched in the Real Estate number and set up a meeting. He didn’t want to say anything until he was sure. So much to consider. He’d need to talk with the bank and hope for the best. 

“Imagination is the only weapon in the war against reality.”

~ Jules de Gaultier, philosopher

(1858 ~ 1942)