Cracked Ice - Part 6

“CRACKED ICE” by Leora Tozer © 2013 - Part 6 


It was a bright Thursday morning. Henry didn’t notice Leora walk in. He was turned away from the door, standing by the table under the window and reading the dictionary. Leora placed 4 letters on his desk to read over and sign. She didn’t want to interrupt his thoughts, so she started walking towards his office door.

Henry looked up and smiled, “Where are you sneaking off to, toots?” 

“You looked lost in thought,” she replied. “I didn’t want to bother you.” 

Henry walked over and leaned on his desk. “Come here and enjoy the view,” he pointed towards the window. Art was walking around outside. He was very seriously inspecting the ground. 

“OK,” she replied. “I noticed you were reading the dictionary. Words are wondrous. They express so much; feelings, thoughts, and meaning.” Leora was leaning next to Henry on the desk. She smiled slightly as she watched Art through the window. 

“That reminds me. I’ve been meaning to do some feeling later this afternoon,” Henry gave Leora a careful glance. 

Leora appears to ignore his comment. “Some words create magic. Others can express their meaning just with how they sound.” 

While they talk, both are staring out of the window. Neither dares look directly at the other, so they pretend to be engrossed in watching Art outside. With a yard stick and several croquet hoops, Art is attempting to get the hoops into the ground, but the ground won’t cooperate. By walking back and forth, he tries to set up the hoops, but has no success. Art looked up and saw Henry and Leora watching him from Henry’s office; his natural reply is to run up to the window and make a funny face at them. Henry ignores him; Leora, smiling, suppresses a soft giggle, since she can see Henry’s annoyance. 

Henry asked, “What, for instance?” 

Leora states, “Yes, that’s a good example.” 

“That’s not what I meant,” Henry retorted. 

“It sounds like a question, doesn’t it?” Leora added, “Another example is the word kiss. When said, it expresses a kiss perfectly.” 

Henry smiled; he’s been thinking about kissing Leora most of the morning. “How about a hug?” he asked. 

“Another good example,” Leora, distracted by the intellectual exercise, seemed oblivious to the newly charged nature of their conversation. “The G almost seems like arms reaching out.” 

Henry, softly commented, “Caress careens across her pale skin.” 

Leora whispered back, “Supreme bliss from his every touch.” 

Through his peripheral vision, Henry saw Leora’s body give a slight, excited tremble. He felt electrification from this verbal exchange. He wasn’t used to being intellectually stimulated by a woman. He felt as though his entire body was newly awakened. 

Henry inquired, “Do any words look like their meaning?” 

Leora thought a short moment, and her first thought slipped out before she could edit herself. “Aroused looks like its meaning. Pure, simple and full of feeling.” 

Henry thought her face was flushed, but he didn’t get a chance to find out. Art rushed into the office, “Henry, do you have a mallet?” 

Leora quietly walked out when Art appeared. As she left, Henry quickly replied, “If I did, I’d have a good mind to use it.” 

Leora walked to the bathroom and splashed cold water on her face. She mentally berated herself; “I forgot I’m not back home. Women aren’t this forward here. I should be careful not to break the social codes.” She takes a deep breath; what’s done is done.