by Ann Graham
Ashley stood there watching him bike down the lane and when she couldn’t here him whistling any longer she turned to walk back into the house to begin preparing their evening first date meal.
Chapter Six
Almost on the button, Dwayne was pulling into the driveway with Ashley’s SUV. In the half hour it took him to bicycle to the train station and drive back she was preparing a salad from her own garden produce. The spaghetti was almost done boiling and the meat sauce was simmering.
Dwayne walked in and commented, “Smells good Ashley; is there anything I can do to help?” “If you like, you can set the table. We are Italian tonight, Spaghetti with meat sauce and a fresh salad right out of the garden.” As an afterthought Ashley asked Dwayne if he liked cooking and didn’t he cook on the farm as a teen?” “You remember, yes we all cooked on the farm. Many of my fondest memories were in the kitchen on the farm.
“Hmmm the farm, one of my scariest memories was in the hayloft Dwayne.” “Oh my, we sure stirred up the dust on a few occasions while pretending to feed the cows, didn’t we?” “I don’t mean that Dwayne, I mean the time when we were walking the rafters and I froze. It was in the spring and the hay was almost gone and the bare floor was a long way down. You had to walk out and take my hand and inch me off the rafter. I’ve been afraid of heights ever since that day.”
“I remember that afternoon perfectly. When I got you down you were shivering so bad. I didn’t know what to do so I just held you tight; we both settled onto the floor and just embraced for the longest time. I remember feeling so grown up and needed.”
They continued to reminisce until almost midnight. The meal was delicious, the after dinner, rather supper, coffee and desert was so comforting to their appetites but also to their comfort of being around each other after all these years. “How could that be,” Dwayne wondered out loud? Ashley easily explained her version. “Dwayne, there is no doubt that we each had wonderful lives but I must admit I often wondered how different it would have been if you and I married. Didn’t you think about that a few times?”
“When we were doing the dishes Ashley, those were my thoughts. How many times did I wonder what we would have been doing if we married. When I was in the hospital all those months, the only reason I did survive was my strong belief in my faith, the wonderful memories of growing up on the farm and of you and I in love and, and…..,” Dwayne’s voice trailed off, smothered in tears as he attempted to ask once again for her forgiveness.
It was Ashley’s turn to express her emotions. Her tears and Dwayne’s combined when she drew him closer cheek to cheek. “The forgiveness has always been given she said. Never did I doubt your reasons and whatever your reason was I knew it was for my protection. It was because of your love for me that communication stopped. I accepted that.
“It’s late Ashley; the Yoder’s will be wondering where I am when they don’t see the cottage lights on. The main house where they live has had the power box removed because of the order of Amish they belong to. Sometimes I wonder how I would get along if I was Amish. Living a simple, plain life.” “The Amish probably look at you in your cottage with electricity and wonder how life would be so much easier if they had modern conveniences.”
“Let them wonder Dwayne, do spend the night in the guest bedroom. In the morning after breakfast let’s spend the day together on the trail. We have so much catching up to do.” Ashley was taken back that she even thought of such a thing and Dwayne was surprised at his simple and most natural answer. “I would like that Ashley; I would like that very much.”
Chapter Seven
The next morning Ashley was up and at her computer by 5:30AM. Soon after Dwayne emerged from his bedroom and announced it was the best nights sleep he’s had in months. He was curious why Ashley would be at her computer so early in the morning.
She explained that she sells things online and people from around the world order things while she is sleeping and it’s always fun to start your day by seeing how much money you made overnight. “Did I wake you, I tried being quiet?” No you don’t wake an ole farmer; we are just raring to go by 4AM. “But you no longer farm, do you?” No Ashley but my body and sleep patterns think I do. I tinker on the computer too, selling farm related items on eBay. But I only ship to the lower 48 and I don’t get to the computer until 8 or 9 after my morning breakfast.”
“Breakfast, where are my manners Dwayne? What would you like?” “What I would like is for you to continue your customer service correspondence and I will make us pancakes, do you have pancake mix?” “I sure do and some of our famous Myers Maple Syrup too.” Ashley wondered, “Does the farm still have that big grove of maples and do the trees get tapped in the spring?”
“Faithfully every year and they give up their tasty yield to the maple camps and the Amish split the profits with me. Some years are better flows than others but overall it’s my little fun money I use for my hobby.” “I want to know all about your hobby and so much more. It will be fun on the trail today. Come with me Dwayne, I want to show you something and it’s about to happen in a minute or two.”
Ashley squeezes his hand and leads him out onto her front porch. The two of them sit down on the swing and witness the sun coming up, giving up its twinkling sparkles as it shimmers through the trees. Then in a burst of energy the porch is glowing from a most gorgeous sunrise. Well, the sun was up almost an hour ago but not up high enough to crest the mountains and trees. Dwayne squeezed her hand, leaned over and kissed their first sunrise kiss.
“In the short time I’ve lived here Dwayne; I never witnessed what we just saw without thinking of you. Do you believe in Law of Attraction Dwayne?” “How do you mean,” he asked? “You know, something you think about so much and mysteriously it happens and you think its just coincidence.” “Do you think the two of us sitting here, not only on just a porch but the very spot where we parked many times over 50 years ago and shared our lives together is just by chance?”
“It does give you chills, doesn’t it Ashlyn?” Correct me if I’m wrong but did we not lose our virginities right here in the old Studebaker after the Junior Prom?” Ashley leans back in the swing and starts humming a familiar tune from back in the day. Some Enchanted Evening. Oh Dwayne I didn’t know if it meant that much to you that you would remember it now after all these years.” Dwayne smiled and admitted that a fellow never forgets that special moment in his life,” ….nor a girl hers,” Ashley sighed.”
Chapter Eight
Their arrival at the trail head that morning began a day of joyous celebrating. It wasn’t how many miles they biked; it was how many stories of catching up in their lives apart that were truly remarkable in their similarities. At times they were within miles of one another when vacationing with their families at the same time at the same place and only a few rooms apart according to their memories.
Both were so in love with their spouses and children and they each communicate daily in one form or another with the children. Computer email mostly, some Facebook and cell phone texting and though Ashley has a Skype account it’s rare she uses it. Dan’s daughters and Ashley’s daughter are within a year or two apart in age, all three have one child.
When Dwayne returned to the farm to continue to recuperate from his military injuries, his mom and dad were ready to give up farming and that’s when he suggested they move into town. He set up the Amish to work the farm and live in the main house but instructed them to not use or loan out the cottage but do keep it clean. It was always to be available to his mother and father when they would get lonely for the farm. They never used it.
Dwayne moved to Iowa to begin farming his future wife’s parent’s farm. His wife was his army nurse and he promised to visit her at their farm one day. That one day became 35 years of individual days. True to Iowa he became a mildly successful spud farmer. He and Vivian purchased her parents farm. Both daughters married farmers and together they and their families own and operate the farm now.
J
ohn came to Myers as a Daredevil Driver for the famous ‘Joey Chitwood Thrill Show’ at the county fair. He saw Ashley and soon history unfolded in most unexplainable ways. It was John’s last year as a driver but his first year as the publicity agent for traveling seasonal entertainment. He scooped Ashley off her feet and they formed their own publicity company in Indiana. She recently sold to an ad agency. Her daughter and husband are accountants in Indiana.
Today Ashley is in for a treat. It will be her first ride through the1900 foot tunnel. She affectionately now calls it the tunnel of love. Dwayne encouraged her to walk the tunnel the first time but being the daredevil Ashley she chose to ride into the tunnel. Within 100 feet she was scraping the walls. Dwayne was right but she gave the excuse that she wanted to walk with him. They paused half way, looked at the faint opening on either end, confirmed their aloneness and the two broke out into song. An enchanted event indeed and just as they were making their exit there was applause. A ladies bike and bird watching club were about to enter the tunnel but didn’t want to disturb the duet. This time Duane shared in Ashley’s embarrassment.
Hours were spent sitting on the trail benches just outside the tunnel overlooking the vast valley below. So much talking and listening, tears and laughter brought them together even more intimately in their life’s trails. Both agreed that they probably bored Mother Nature and all the creatures within a mile radius of their bench.
Their return trip back to town found their topics more centered on the present and near future and that will be setting the tone for their evening plans of dining out at a new restaurant in town and to what follows on their official second date.
Chapter Nine
Dwayne and Ashley were becoming very comfortable around each other and both knew they wanted to share their remaining years together. Their conversation on their second date at the new restaurant in town was interrupted a few times by some local old timers who heard they were back in town. Some actually asked how long the two of them were married now.
Those misunderstandings were testimonials of just how popular they were their sophomore, junior and senior years and many assumed that they were destined to live their lives as husband and wife. Ashley and Dwayne were flattered but each new that their separate lives until now was meant to be. An unexpected tribute to their evening came from a recently reunited high school rock band that was the evening’s entertainment.
When George of the Delltones recognized who was in the audience he stopped the band in mid song. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing. “Dwayne and Ashley, its Dwayne and Ashley, my god!”
Then George announced to the audience that Dwayne Donaldson and Ashley Biggly were high school sweethearts and that Dwayne and he started the band together way back then. He said this must be fate, that he and Ashley would be in the audience on grand opening night and the Delltones were last minute replacements to fill in for the evening’s entertainment.
It was then that Dwayne walked up to the stage and embraced George and whispered into his ear. George was obviously trying to get his composure back to make an announcement. “Ladies and gentlemen, Dwayne and I go way back to when we were in first grade; we started the band when we were 14. One year later Dwayne began dating Ashley in 10th grade. She was our biggest fan. Dwayne has a few comments.
Dwayne was nervous but he took command of the microphone and explained that this was so unrehearsed and so unreal but he shared that the past few days became living proof of what the future is intended to be. But until he asks a question of Ashley, it can’t begin. “Ashley Biggy, will you marry me?”
Drum roll, cymbals crash and a guitar twang on cue from George and the band leads to total silence in the audience. Eyes focused on Ashley while she senses an instant white out in her vision from the spotlight with sparkles coursing through her mind and body and the twang of the guitar giving up its echo from the powerful speakers. Unlike the blackout on the trail this very emotional scene is actually happening and she is too stunned to be embarrassed. George took his wireless microphone out into the audience, bumping into a few tables on the way to Ashley.
The emotions sent Ashley’s mind back in time in slow motion and it coursed its way to the present. Nothing has ever caused such emotions in her life and here in this one moment it seemed that the entire Universe orchestrated this and that their deceased spouses cleverly produced this moment.
Dwayne was so shocked that he did this to Ashley, it was so unlike him. He was caught up in the moment, her hesitation could mean a totally lost opportunity to grow older as husband and wife and maybe his actions could cause a complete separation even as friends.
He felt nauseated and was about to leave the stage when he heard a faint reply. George’s microphone wasn’t turned on. The audience knew Dwayne didn’t hear her answer and in unison they yelled out with their excited applause. Yes, yes, yes, yes…they sang out.
The audience was on their feet, pushing chairs and tables away to make a straight path for Ashley to navigate to her future husband. They embraced on stage and then they returned to their table, floating by many who had napkins pressed to their eyes. George and the band began playing their crude hurried up version of “Some Enchanted Evening.” Was this really their second date?”
Chapter Ten
Waking up the next morning with Ashley cradled in his arm and her warm breath brushing across his chest, Dwayne’s aroused memory of the past few hours of their togetherness was reviewing everything in detail.
The band, the announcement, the acceptance, the walk in the moonlight around their small town’s quiet streets, the return to Ashley’s home, her invitation to spend the night, not in the guest room but in her bed, the long talk before they reopened their teenage familiarity with each others bodies, it’s all real, its all so natural.
Ashley was awake but she was so comfortable and content lying on Dwayne’s chest while he cradled her in his arm. His strong beating heart was synchronized to her own. Less than eight hours ago she gave her teenage lover the remaining years of her life as his wife when she said yes to his on stage marriage proposal.
The walk on the quiet streets, just like they did in high school and then the drive to their favorite parking spot after their walk was so perfect. Just as they did in their favorite parking spot in their teens, they romanced each other. Instead of the Studebaker back seat this time it was in Ashley’s bed. Instead of being driven home from their romantic oasis, they spent the night in each others arms, waking a few times to confirm this wasn’t a dream.
Ashley is suddenly aware of Dwayne’s increased rhythmic heartbeats. “Are you alright Dwayne?” “I’m more than alright Ashley, let me to prove it to you,” Dwayne teased as he began touching her sweet spots and rolling gently over and having her realize just how alright he was in the moment. It was noon time till they realized they had a community picnic to attend in a few hours and they should try and muster their strength to get ready.
“How many years has it been since they were in the shower together,” Ashley tried calculating. She so vividly remembered the time they had the opportunity to have that experience. They were both so nervous that they kept the lights out but their slippery embraces left squeaky clean memories of how they explored each others bodies in the shower and then their first actual bedroom frolic afterwards.
“Surely not again Dwayne, act your age or act our age,” we are in the shower and our agility will not let that happen. Dwayne was so passionately excited that he was ready to throw caution to the wind and find a position that would allow it but realized a fall at their age couldn’t be risked. “It could be days until help arrived,” Ashley laughed and then both began laughing so hard that the moment was whisked away into their memory banks.
The end for now,
Ashley and Dwayne
There you have a snippet in time that I’ve been given opportunity to write about from a very special couple who have been given another opportunity to enjoy a continuation of life in romanc
e and companionship. Picking up from their familiar past and blending it into their married lives and families apart and then into their future explorations together along with their extended approving families blessings and seemingly from their former beloved spouses who surely must have had a joyous hand in bringing them back together again. So pure, innocent and romantic.
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