“Hey, honey. I’m home!” she hollered as she came through the front door.

​

“In here!” Davis’s voice echoed down the hallway from the kitchen.

​

Charlie set her purse on the bench inside the door and hung her coat on the rack. She took off her shoes and kicked them under the bench. Padding down the hall in her stocking feet, she found her husband of twenty-five years humming as he opened takeout containers he’d placed on the large island at the center of the kitchen. He hadn’t heard her come into the room yet. She took in the sight of him. Tall with blond hair cut short and blue eyes that reminded her of the lake in summer when the sun hit it just right. With a bright smile that won over everyone he met, Davis personified friendliness. While Charlie could get herself worked up about most anything, Davis was steady. Easy going. Her calm in any storm. Coming home to him was what soothed her most in life.

​

He looked up and smiled at her. “Hey, babe.”

​

She made her way around the island to him. “Hey.”

​

He turned and pulled her into his arms, something he’d done thousands of times over the years. She tucked in against him, her arms around his waist, and sighed.

​

“I love it when you do that.” He rested his chin on top of her head.

​

“Do what?”

​

“When your whole body relaxes when I hold you.”

​

Charlie smiled against his chest. “I like that, too.”

​

She pulled back and looked up at him. He kissed her softly.

​

 

“I see you got us takeout from Marianny’s,” she said as she turned her head toward the containers on the counter.

​

“I did. I figured it would be nice for us not to have to cook tonight.”

​

“There are many reasons why I married you. Knowing when I’m not up for cooking and getting us food from Marianny’s is one of them.”

​

“Hmm. Not my charm and good looks?”

​

“Those are bonuses.” She winked at him and then stepped out of his arms to grab two plates from the cupboard. The sound of his laughter caused any concerns of the day to fade away.

​

They dished up food, grabbed silverware, and made their way to the kitchen table. Soft jazz music played from the speaker Davis had installed in the corner of the room. As he set down two wine glasses and poured her a glass, Charlie took a deep breath and soaked in the moment. Yes, having an empty nest was a huge change. And yet, there were nights like this one that reminded her some things don’t change. Some things in life she could still rely on.

​

Davis sat beside her and held her hand as he said a small blessing over their meal, then dove into their food. Marianny’s made the best arepas, a popular Venezuelan food Charlie and Davis had fallen in love with when the restaurant opened a few years back. Filled with yummy meat and cheeses, Charlie moaned with pleasure as the flavors danced across her tongue, the warm, gooeyness the best comfort food imaginable.

​

“How was work today?” Davis asked once he’d finished his bite of food.

​

Charlie took a sip of wine and sat back in her chair. “Interesting. Amber gave me a new listing. I went by, and it needs some work, but…”

 

“Where is it?” Davis took a sip of wine.

​

“It’s a Colonial Revival just outside of town on White Pine Drive.”

​

Davis nodded. “I think I know the one you’re talking about. It needs a bit of work, doesn’t it?”

​

“It does, but it has good bones.”

​

Davis smiled as Charlie took another bite of food.

​

They had agreed over the years that having a common interest in architecture and building construction was something they appreciated.

​

“Tell me about your day,” Charlie said as she finished her bite and wiped her face with a napkin. The food was delicious—and messy.

​

“It was fine.”

​

Charlie stopped and stared at Davis, the napkin halfway back to her lap. Davis didn’t say “fine” unless something was up. She placed her napkin and her hands in her lap and looked at her husband, who was doing a tremendous job of avoiding eye contact with her.

​

“Davis.”