Vagabond - part 4: Voyeur

Vagabond - part 4: Voyeur The day went quickly. There is nothing like the satisfaction of seeing a pile of timber become a neat stack of firewood. When Libby returned she sat on the buckboard for a short while watching me - until I came over to unload it and unhitch the horse. I thought I imagined a slight blush on her cheeks as she passed me on her way into the house. When I was done I came in to have dinner with her. She had splurged and bought a steak, which she grilled on the flames from the stove. We shared this largesse quietly. Every now and then our eyes would meet, and she would shyly gaze away. Afterwards I excused myself, thanking her for the excellent meal, and headed to the barn to wash and prepare for bed. I stripped as usual and lathered off the day's sweat. As I was rinsing, I thought I heard something behind me. I turned, but saw nothing. Then the horse snorted, and I chuckled to myself and dressed for bed. In the coming week I would learn more of how Libby survived alone on her small farm. One neighbor used her fields for hay in exchange for bales of hay and straw as fodder and bedding. Libby traded her handmade cheese and butter in town for things she could not produce herself. The chickens provided eggs and an occasional stew when there was an 'extra' rooster or a hen ceased to lay. There was also a small orchard that produced enough fruit for a winter's worth of applesauce and several delicious cherry pies. The strange feeling of "being watched" returned several times. During the day I caught Libby staring at my shirtless form as I worked, but she always returned quickly to her own numerous tasks. It was in the evening, while bathing, that the feeling became the strongest. Once I had even stepped naked and soapy out the barn door only to find nothing there. I began to think that Madeline had me followed or the constables were after me, but I poo-pooed that thought. "Paranoia," I muttered to myself. On Saturday Libby made steak again. She had found a bottle of wine, which we shared with dinner. She became a bit giddy and excused herself to lie down for a little while. I finished dinner, stacked the dishes, and stoked the stove. Calling out my thanks, I headed to the barn for the night. Once again, as I was washing, I heard a noise behind me. I turned, and Libby was standing in the barn doorway, staring. "Sorry!" I blurted as I tried to cover myself. "Didn't mean to offend!" But she continued to stand there. "Don't stop", she said, "It's been such a very long time... I just want to watch you. You look so much like my husband." - to be continued - 3/27/2002 Written March 27th, 2002 © on Mar 27 2002 06:49 AM PST, Heinz Scheuenstuhl    0 • 10