I had felt it before fleetingly – that ‘in love’ sensation – but never like this; this was unfamiliar.
Every morning I would arrive on my bicycle by 8am and Inna would already be making the toast and poached eggs for Husband and the two farm workers. I would set the two tables; the table in the kitchen was where the two farm workers ate and Husband, Inna and I would eat in the adjacent dining room. I was fascinated by the rules and rituals. For example, the farm workers would be served Weeties first, but Husband and his mother always ate Cornflakes. The farmworkers used the green plates and stainless steel cutlery whereas we used the white plates and silver cutlery.
Once everything was ready, Inna would wait for everyone to arrive and her anticipation was contagious. It’s hard to believe now that 8.30am represented such an exciting occasion for us but it did; the breakfast ritual held a lot of meaning. And for me, the moment when the men arrived at the back door and Husband, with his booming, laughing voice, entered the kitchen, became the best moment of the day. He would grin and say, “Jules!” as if he were surprised to see me, then he would go and have a wash while I served the farmhands and gave Inna her eggs. Then, he’d emerge from the bathroom and take his place at the dining room table and I would serve him too.
Breakfast was quite a busy routine so I would be up and down from my seat in the dining room constantly, replacing the men’s cereal bowls with their eggs and then making toast for their third course and then doing the coffee and tea thing. To begin with I simply followed Inna while she did these things but eventually I got used to how it all worked and she was able to relax and chat to Husband in the dining room.
I absolutely loved each moment because it was so utterly new to me. Inna was extremely stern to begin with and reprimanded me quite a bit but I didn’t mind because I found her fascinating and I would have walked on hot coals for Husband. Occasionally, he would wink at me from across the other side of the dining room table and I would just about die of joy.
After six months, I became part of the furniture of their lives and Husband had well and truly insinuated himself into the most private part of my heart. I didn’t tell anybody because I wanted to be in love all by myself.
jmgoyder 
Julie I am loving your ‘love story’. I can actually visualize it all, the people, the kitchen and the dining table. You are a great story teller.
Julie I am loving your ‘love story’. I can actually visualize it all, the house, the people, the food. You’re such a great storyteller.
Thanks! It’s a great story so I hope I can tell it adequately!
So far so good! Potential Hollywood movie one day when it’s finished…
Hollywood here I come – oh wouldn’t that be amazing – hahahaha!
I love this story and the warm fuzzy feeling of a new family.
Thanks – I am getting really nostalgic telling this story.
Definitely need to do the screenplay! Oh I love this story Jules…. and you are a fabulous narrator (and protagonist). Is this categorized somehow on your blog — so if I want my mom to read it she can go right to the chapters? Would be great – she’ll melt from it as well. She’s coming to visit me today so will read to her (we are both hopeless romantics!) xo
Thanks, Robyn
I don’t have it categorized because not sure how – for the moment just using ‘Love story’ heading. Hope that’s okay.
Have a great visit with your mama!
Juliexx
Aww…I love this story. It just leaves me wanting to hear MORE!
I didn’t realize there were so many romantics out there in the blogosphere – haha!
More, more, more!!!
Oooooh…. this is getting good! (insert deep heavy sigh here)
🙂
~ Lynda
Oh dear…reminds me of a time……sigh.
Love, love, love, this little story. Warms me from the inside out.
Thanks Julie
And yes….we “incurables” are everywhere!
Haha – you’re funny!
In my mind I was with you there in the room. Surprised you didn’t set a place for me. Very nicely told.
I’ll set a place for you in the next chapter – hehe!
This is exactly the kind of storytelling I love!
Okay, I’ll try to keep it up!
Love the ‘story’. I keep picturing you all in my Grandmother’s farmhouse in northern Tasmania, because that’s the image I have of a dairy farm. I can even picture the different crockery used in the kitchen (at breakfast) and the dining room (for other meals on my G/M’s farm).
I suspect that the rooms might have even looked similar.
I think you are probably right about your memories of your grandma’s house and this one!
It’s funny how you referenced yourself as furniture. I would spend so much time at my best friends place during high school that her big sister ended up calling me that.
Haha!
“I wanted to be in love all by myself.” – this really made me smile. You are really a gifted storyteller, Julie – this is the most enjoyable love story I’ve read in a very long time 🙂
Thanks!
I love the way you ended this post: “After six months, I became part of the furniture of their lives and Husband had well and truly insinuated himself into the most private part of my heart. I didn’t tell anybody because I wanted to be in love all by myself.” Very touching and intimate!
Thanks – love your comment (btw still trying with your blog!)
So sweet and touching!
The sour bits are coming!
Nice job and lovely lines. Keep it coming. 🙂
Thx!