Chapter Twelve

Jessie woke early on Saturday with visions of doorknobs and the tinkle of silver spoons on her mind. She pulled on a pair of black leggings and a paint stained tunic and went right to work. Her studio had become a storage room over the last five years, so she grabbed a box of garbage bags and dug in.
The morning passed quickly as she sorted and cleaned, until, around one, she had her workbench cleared and ready for action. Her plans for the bell continued to develop as she worked until she thought she would simply burst if she didn’t build it.

She pulled out Rowan’s drawing and taped it on the table. Then she piled her treasures around it and began to tinker. At two the doorbell rang. Since Jessie rarely had guests, and never guests who dropped in unannounced, she ignored it and kept working. When the bell rang again, she sighed her exasperation and went to the door. Peering through the peep hole, she saw Rowan, carrying a large box.

She flung open the door. “Rowan! This is a surprise.”

“I was sorting through some things in my storage and I found something I thought you could use in your sculpture.”

“Come in, come in. That looks heavy! What is it?” Jessie looked at the wooden crate dubiously.

Rowan smiled and waggled his eyebrows. “We’ll have to open it and find out. Is there a hammer in the house?”

Jessie chuckled at his comical face. “If we need a hammer, we’d better bring it to the shop. Follow me.”

“Ah ha! The inner sanctum, the lair of your creativity. I am honored.”

Rowan set the box on her worktable. Jessie got a hammer and pried it open. Inside were the tools for making stained glass; a grinder, a glass cutter, a grozier, and a soldering iron. In addition, there was glass of all colors, from the deepest blues to a clear piece etched with leaves.

“You had all this in storage?” Jessie fingered the glass in awe.

“I dabbled in stained glass for a while, but I never could get it to do what I envisioned. I think it’s been waiting there for you.” Rowan grinned at Jessie’s delight.

Jessie threw herself into his arms. Rowan hugged her a long time, until they drew back to look at each other.

“Where have you been all my life?” Jessie teased.

“I think that’s my line.” Then Rowan kissed her, and they were lost, spinning off into that private world once again. As one they moved to the bedroom, arms entwined. Ever so slowly they undressed each other, almost shy, but savoring the newness of each moment. Jessie shook her hair loose, and Rowan ran his fingers through it. Then they lay on the bed, exploring, loving, conquering each other, until, spent, they curled together and slept.

It was late afternoon when they woke. The sun slanted through Jessie’s lace curtains, casting patterns across the bed. Jessie lay with her arm cradling her head and studied her lover’s face. “Are you hungry? I could make something.”

“I’m ravenous! Let’s see what we can cook up!” Rowan led the way to the kitchen. Before long they’d found bits and pieces to fix a kitchen sink chop suey, which Rowan stir fried masterfully while Jessie made salad.

Over their dinner the conversation turned once again to art, specifically Jessie’s art. Carrying their coffee with them, they returned to the studio to finish unpacking Rowan’s gift.

“I played with stained glass a little in college, but I never had my own equipment, and I always wanted to do more.” Jessie set up the grinder near the end of her workbench.

“Now you have no excuse. I expect to see stained glass flowing from you.”

“I thought maybe I could incorporate some glass into the bell sculpture we talked about. Sort of completes it’s multi-dimensional aspect, you know? A kitchen soup bell.”

“No, no…I’ve got it! A multicultural bell. Or intra-cultural, I don’t know which.”

Yeah, that’s me. All inclusive.” They were laughing over Jessie’s new image when the phone rang.

“Jess, it’s Ben. I’m over at Louise and Tom’s. Came over to help Tom up-grade the kids computer. Louise invited us to dinner. Can you be over here by, say 7? It’s casual, so no need to dress up.”

Jessie held the phone and stared at Rowan, unable to answer Ben.

“Jessie? You there?”

“Yeah, I’m here Ben. But I can’t tonight. I’m in the middle of something and I’m a mess.”

“I told you it’s casual. Come on!”

“I’m sorry Ben, not tonight.” They hung up, and Jessie turned back to Rowan.

“Everything okay?”

“Yeah. That was a friend. All’s well.” Jessie turned back to the worktable. Rowan came up behind her, hugging her.

“Then how come you suddenly got tense? Do you want me to leave?”

Turning in his arms, Jessie said, “No! It’s just that Ben and I’ve been dating. But it’s not exclusive or anything. Please, stay.”

Rowan studied her for a moment. “This has been a wonderful afternoon. I think it is time for me to say good night. My shop has been closed all afternoon, and I have a number of clients who prefer evening hours.” Jessie looked down, unsure. “Besides, you also have work to do,” he continued. “Could we, perhaps meet for dinner tomorrow?”

“I’d love that.” Jessie beamed as she walked him to the door and watched him walk into the early evening mist until she could see him no more.