The River's Edge

“My, don’t you look pretty this morning.” He said holding her small hands in his and standing up. Maria blushed and giggled at his compliment.

Alina thanked him for the Danishes, but said that he should not have bothered, and then walked into the kitchen explaining that breakfast would be ready in a minute.

Maria ran into her bedroom and quickly returned with a piece of paper. “I drawed you something last night.” She said handing it to him.

“No,” He corrected, “You mean you drew me something last night.” He looked at the colorful picture, complete with names under the stick figures, which showed the two of them building the deck. In one window of the house, which made up the background, she had drawn Alina, or so the name said, watching them.

“Why did you put your mom in the window?”

“Cause that’s where she was the whole time.” She explained as if he should know this already. Then, lowering her voice, as if she were telling a secret, she added, “Momma said that you were a nice man. She called you something else, but I don’t know what the word means.”

“What was the word?”

Maria’s face scrunched up as she tried to remember the word. “She said you were… handom… no… hasdom… Oh, I can’t remember.” She said finally. Then without warning, she called into the kitchen. “Momma? What was that word you called Thomas last night?”

Alina, who was just returning from the kitchen, suddenly turned red. She lowered her head, refusing to meet his eyes and hoping that he would not ask her what the word was. “Um… every things ready.” She finally managed.

Thomas walked into the kitchen holding the picture in one hand while the other was held in Maria’s.