A long day of shopping had tired Bette out more than me. We started out with a few things to get Evan started for summer camp and eventually wind up buying more than enough of summer clothes for all three of us. I like shopping sprees just like the next girl but Bette out did herself. Sandals, cropped pants, v-necks, sleeveless tees, tanks… every kind of top and bottom you could think of Bette brought. And dont forget the shades. We picked up Evans sunglasses along with three new pairs for Bette and one pair for me. Im not that big on them. As we walked back to the car for what seemed like the fifth time, Bette handed me the keys and asked me to drive. Me… drive. I didnt comment on her wanting me to drive her baby in fear that she might renege on her request. So I climbed behind the wheel and waited as she slowly slid her body in the passenger seat and fasten her seat belt.

We werent that far from home but caught rush hour traffic which meant a slower journey. I sang along to a Barry White song( My First, My Last, My Everything), drumming my fingers on the steering wheel to the beat. Bette leaned back into the seat, resting her head looking at me and smiling. I had an audience, so I performed. Hands gestures, shoulder shrugs and anything else I could do in the confines of a car to entertain my wife during the bumper to bumper traffic. She laughed, she smiled and during the finale of my show, as I did a half of spin (sort of) expecting wild applause, I discovered she was asleep. Head down, hands resting in her lap, eyes closed, breathing evenly. I sighed a little disappointed but knowing that she was exhausted from last night and this morning. I turned down the radio focusing my attention on the halted cars in front of me.

*****

“Finally,” I sighed as I pulled the car into the driveway.

She was still asleep with her hand resting on my thigh. I shut the car off and turned to wake her. But I stopped. She was breathtaking. Her forehead free of stress lines, mouth slightly open. And her eyelashes, 77 perfectly fine silky lashes relaxing against each other in slumber. She looked so… peaceful. I ran my thumb gently across her eyebrows smoothing them down. She sighed and leaned into my touch. My mouth replaced my thumb, kissing down to the tip of her nose. When I pulled back, her brown eyes were open. Nothing was said for a while and then I continued trailing kisses down to her mouth. She held my lips for a long second.