Denis sends the text. The sex life has improved since the dirty talk started with her hot husband cop, Edmund. There has always been sexual tension between the couple but with time, it became more of a task to check off the “to-do” list.
However, the daily dirty talk has spiced up their love life.
This particular text was only a silly GIF. Those were also fun to send. Especially with Edmund’s demanding job, she preferrers to keep their conversations simply silly. So she sent a dramatic cartoon GIF, showing her affection.
After sending the text, and returning it to the purse, she locked the file cabinet to focus on work. She had a very busy afternoon planned; full of reshelves, customer support, and putting the finishing touches on a large research project about the Dewey Decimal System.
Denis originally majored in communications but realized that journalism was too cut-throat for her heart of gold. She changed her major to Elementary Education and earned a Bachelor of Science degree. Even after graduation, she never stepped foot inside a classroom. After a few years of working within a coffee shop and bookstore in Portland, OR - she applied all over the country for a master’s program in Library Science. As fate would have it, she was accepted to Denver University. Upon acceptance, she said good-bye to her loving parents (she was an only child, so this was a heartfelt farewell) and moved her whole life to Denver, CO.
She planned to graduate and move back to the west coast until tragedy struck. In a span of one night, Denis became parentless. In the depth of her sorrow, she was introduced to the man of her dreams. It was never her plan to become a Colorado transplant but as always, love conquers all. And fifteen years later, she has never second guessed that decision.
Other residents would say she stayed for the family and status. But the truth lies within The Home. The moment she crossed that threshold, she knew that life would never be the same. For better or for worse, she was connected to that home and the family secret.
“Mrs. Terrell, can you please help me find this book?” A familiar face asked from behind the counter.
“Of course, I can! How are you today, hun?” She recognized the person but could not put a name to the face. Must be a classmate of Lewis, yes that had to be it. The perks of living in a small town. Everyone knows everyone, and everyone knows their secrets. Well, almost every secret.
“I am great! Have you seen the pretty fall leaves?” Asks the Familiar Face.
“Oh yes! How can you miss it? In fact, every morning I sip my coffee on the back patio and watch the trees change color,” she responds while taking the lead to the non-fiction section.
“Wait you can actually see the leaves change color in real-time?!” They exclaim.
The excitement and wonderment amuse her and plays along. “Well of course! Have you seen them change color in real time?”
A shake of the head from the Familiar Face.
“It’s true. In fact, if you listen carefully one can actually hear the old leaf die little by little as the fall color suffocates the green color out.” A pause for dramatic effect. “While some say it’s the wind that makes the whining noise, it’s truthfully the dying leaf gasping for its final freedom of life.”
“Geez, that’s awful,” they say with a touch of sadness.
Now that makes Denis feel guilty. She didn’t believe it was so convincing. “I’m teasing,” she laughs and grabs the book in question. “Here you go!”
A tiny smile escapes the mystery patron’s lips. “I sure hope you’re right. What a sad way to live out the last moments of your life.” A pause followed by a heavy sigh. “Thank you for the help, Mrs. Terrell.”
Denis feels guilty for the false story she shared. Since the marriage to Edmund, she has learned the importance of humor. It’s needed nearly every day when a loved one is surrounded by a sad and horrific reality. Even The Secret sucks the complete life and joy out of everything. That’s why she was having fun with this familiar - yet not so specific - face. She felt a kinship with them and thought a little dark humor would benefit them both on this chilly fall day. Now looking into their face, she quickly realized this was a bad judge of character. So she did what any mother would do, she comforted.
“Hey hun, I am sorry.” With a laugh, “I was just teasing you. Seriously don’t take the story to heart, okay?”
A tiny nod followed by a sniffle.
Now she had really done it. The poor lad was crying.
“Oh my dear, come sit down.” She grabbed the Familiar Face’s arm gingerly and lead them to a secluded corner of the library. By the time they had fully settled into the couch, the young teen was sobbing.
With a heavy sigh, Familiar Face says, “I am sorry. I don’t mean to be a bother.”
“Oh, you are no bother at all! Did my story about the leaves really upset you?” Denis said followed by another sniff. “It’s not that Mrs. Terrell. It’s just…just my,” another heartbreaking sob escaped the young mouth.
Not really sure how to respond, Denis rubs their back and looks around the room hoping to avoid any unnecessary attention. Thankfully the library has been slow that day, and no one seems to notice them.
She continues to rub their back and ignore the ever-growing fear that she was the one who caused such a traumatic reaction. While remaining patient and kind, she continues to rub their back until eventually, they speak up.
“I am sorry, my grandma just died this past weekend, and well,” another sad pause. “She loved watching the fall colors change. In fact, I remember her telling me that one could physically feel the changing of the leaves. It was as if the old leaves were letting go. I originally did not believe your story, because let’s be honest, it’s a little exaggerated,” the Familiar Face said.
This sly comment made Denis chuckle and ease the discomfort a little.
Familiar Face continued, “but she always told me ‘how wonderful it was to let things go, and that’s what fall always taught us.’ You know, that it was totally okay to let things go and simply fall.” A heavy sigh. “I guess hearing that story reminded me of her, so I am sorry for being dramatic but we did just lose her.” A back of the hand swipe to the nose revealed a trail of mucus. “So what I guess what I am trying to say is, thank you. And also sorry for being so emotional.”
At that exact moment, Denis recognized the book pulled from the shelf, "Healing After Loss: Daily Meditations for Working Through Grief" by Martha Whitmore Hickman. A classic and common recommendation for those who experience grief. Even Denis gave it a read after losing her parents in a horrific car accident. She was an only child, so she found comfort within books. Including this exact one.
“I am so sorry to hear about your grandmother but this book is simply the best! I have no doubt that it will comfort you. I encourage you to read the book amongst the trees and see if you can hear the leaves change with the color.”
They both laugh at this comment and Denis walks with the young patron to the front entrance. The Familiar Face thanks her again after checking out the book and exiting the building.
A warm feeling envelopes Denis. Then her coworker speaks up, “Denis, there is a phone call waiting for you, it’s your husband.” And just like that, the warmth dissipates and the undeniable cold takes over once again.
