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The deep bass of the blaring train whistle blows and Ned smiles at Chuck as he says “Ready to go my lady?”
Chuck plays along. She curtsies and says “Yes, good sir.”
They pick up their suitcases and step towards the train. Echos of other passengers's cacophony of footsteps, the engine, and conversations filling up the platform.
Unfortunately, Chuck is in heels that clack across the pavement as her suitcase wheels rumble behind her. So when she gets to the door, she loses her balance on the step.
I’m so useless. Pathetic. Evil. Those words ring in Ned’s mind as he can only watch, lest he touch Chuck and she dies permanently. The reverberating thud and sharp squeal of pain breaks his heart, but the only thing he can offer is a weak “Are you ok?”
He can sense the murmurs of the passengers and judgement in their breathing patterns as someone else comes up to Chuck and offers her a hand.
“What’s the use of a man that can’t even help you up darling? You deserve better than that.” the older woman says to Chuck.
Her usual charming self, Chuck just laughs it off and thanks the woman. But Ned can tell it rings as a hollow facsimile of her true laughter. The kind meant to deaden the sound of awkwardness.
As they enter the train car, the unsaid words between Ned and Chuck still permeate in the silent air.
*****
The shrill insistent alarm of her phone wakes Chuck up. Soft slippers muffle the sound of her footsteps as she shuffles to the kitchen to get the tea kettle going. The burbling water gives way to the whistle of steam and metal, and she pours it over two cups with tea bags inside.
“Morning.” A soft husky voice murmurs, still tinged with sleep.
“Morning Ned.” she responds with joy behind her voice. The kind that only he can extract.
The ceramic cups clink on the wooden table as she sets them down.
Just a moment later the toaster dings. With the familiarity of the routine, Ned goes to fetch their toast as she grabs their toppings. The metal lid of her honey rubbing up against the glass of his fruit preserves. Musical accompaniment to their subtle domesticity.
Once the scraping of metal knives against glass jars and dry bread subside, they relax into their chairs. Softly murmuring and letting the quiet tick of the clock fill in the relaxed silence of knowing you are exactly where you are supposed to be.
*****
In the cold snowy night air, the jingling of the musical sleigh bells transfixes Chuck.
With the sweet and melodic tone of a young girl, Chuck asks “Please Ned! Let’s take a ride!”
His head says to refuse immediately. It’s a small cramped space in the back of the sleigh, and what happens if some part of his exposed skin touches her? Deep down inside, another voice cries out. Risk it. For her. You’ve got gloves and full length coats on.
In the battle, his heart wins out and he says enthusiastically “Ok, but we’ll just need to be careful.”
They wave and the driver smiles as he slows the horses down, their hooves stomping down to a stop before the pair. He lists his price and Ned hands over some crinkinkling bills as Chuck squeals and pets the neighing animals.
Soon, they are comfortably situated inside the carriage underneath a thick blanket, the sound of the city chatter mixing with her laughter. And that’s the most beautiful music to his ears.
******
Their relationship is strange. Chuck has known that since she was resurrected, but sleepless nights with nothing but time for pondering make the thoughts vibrate loudly in her head. Without touch, the strangest sounds become romantic.
The rustle of plastic wrap.
The buzzing of bees.
The crying of an adopted infant daughter being soothed by her husband’s gentle alto lullabies.
The crackling of a gramophone playing soft jazz music as they read together.
The windchime tinkling in the spring breeze as they sit outside in the sun.
The roaring fire keeping them warm during the winter when the low power line hum goes quiet.
The cute snoring sounds from Ned in the other bed.
The gentle tapping of Morse code on the walls when they’re in different rooms.
The metallic jangling of keys and steady footsteps outside their door when he comes home.
The whir of the vacuum cleaner and groan of the washing machine.
All serve as testimony to the glorious symphony they make together.
****
The car horn is deep and bounces off the adjacent buildings.
Gravel crunches beneath car tires.
Don’t these other cars know to rev their engines and go? It’s Chuck’s birthday and only one thought clamors in Ned’s head: make this day special for her.
Her soft chuckle comforts him as she tells him to take it easy - the day will be perfect even if it takes a few more minutes to get there.
When they get to the aquarium, she gleefully runs to the entrance. Her rubber soled shoes make a ”boing” sound as they bounce off the ground with each step.
The machine beeps as it accepts their tickets and a worker wishes them a good visit.
The tap on the glass alerts their fishy friends to come closer.
Children laugh as they run around to see the colorful marine life.
Instructors drone on in the clearly memorized speech, almost in monotone. But Chuck listens intently.
Ned’s embarrassed to admit he squeals a bit when they ask him to pet the jellyfish. It squishes in his hand and quickly swims away, clearly not enjoying the noise or touch either.
The patio outside where they have a little aquatic themed jungle gym is pretty cool. Ned has to admit. Even adults can go on the squeaky swings and run across the obstacle course, thudding sounds indicating when someone falls off onto the plush padding.
Once they’ve had enough, they head to the beach. Where the lapping waves and seagulls accompany their seaside lunch on the restaurant patio.
Chuck laughs in delight as they run around the water after.
Plastic scrapes against plastic as they build sandcastles.
For dinner, the energetic clamor of the vegan Teppanyaki restaurant fills the air as the chef prepares their meal and provides entertainment simultaneously.
As they drive home, Ned asks a little nervously “Did you have a nice birthday?”
Chuck responds “It was perfect.”
The squelch of rubber makes Ned reach his hand out to take hers through the protective barrier. And while it may be unconventional for other couples, it makes the fire of love between them roar even louder.