The Window

Author: A Little Chaos In The Write Place, 2022

The aroma of pine from the waning candle envelopes me as I sit writing. Black ink flowing across the card, I sign my name in perfect cursive. It has been one crazy year, I think to myself as I sit looking out the sliding glass door. The sky is turning fiery pink with the setting sun, clouds scattering the afternoon. Harvey, the neighbor’s black and white cat, lazily hunts for mice as leaves flitting by go unnoticed. I hear the click click of nails on hardwood. A flash of white streaks past me into the living room to the chair near the window. Peeking around the corner from the kitchen, I watch him secretly. Such a happy pup I think to myself as his tail wags incessantly. Bouncing to and fro he almost falls into the window blinds. Alas! His excitement has gotten the best of him. His playful innocence reminds me of a child on Christmas morning. 'Something is happening, something is happening!' you can almost hear him say through raised fur and perking of ears. Before I know it, I too am listening for the low growl of the exhaust, the sound of a downshifting engine rumbling down the street. The pup lets out a whimpering bark, tiring himself in his anticipation. “Where is he, where is Daddy?” I exclaim, egging him on as he clambers impatiently, getting as close to the window pane as possible.

I crouch down next to him, our faces close, both staring out the window into the darkening of the afternoon sky. How silly we must look to the outsider! Through the tint of the lamp post I can see the wind whipping through the crab-apple trees, branches fighting against the barrage. We both fall still, pup and I, for I know he will hear it before I do. After a moment or two, the low growl is audible through the panes. A pair of bright bulbs round the corner of the driveway like prying eyes into our home as the silver car comes into view. "He’s here, he’s here!" I exclaim to the bounding pup. Fur flying, he runs around the living room, off the chair and onto the couch. Then again off the couch and onto the chair, bumping into the blinds. I find I am suddenly laughing like a child at his carefree silliness. The little pup barks joyfully as the silver car pulls into the garage and the engine falls silent. Pup stares fiercely out the window, his breath fogging the glass. He is perfectly still other than his ferocious tail wagging as the sound of a car door closing reveals what he has been waiting for. The man looks up at the darkening sky as he makes his daily journey across the lawn, briefcase in hand, thoughts hidden.

Suddenly released from his stupor the man looks up. As he glimpses pup and I in the window, the greatest smile spreads across his face. The stresses of the day visibly melt away as a sense of peace washes over him. This is what he has been waiting for, he is finally home.