You’re My Best Friend

“The first thing I’m gonna do when I get in is throw myself on the sofa with my shoes off and my feet up,” Bron spoke into her hands free to Ceri as she drove past The Glen square heading out towards her home. “Yes, I know Coffs isn’t Sydney, but it’s still bloody big enough to wear me out when I’m rushing around looking for specific items…yes, sis, I did get everything in the end, thanks for asking. Gotta go, I’m almost there. Speak to you later, luv ya heaps.”

Bron pulled off the main track into the short drive past the pond up to the house. She parked in the shade of the trees and smiled. Ed would be waiting for her and he would give her feet the massage they were crying out for.

Looking at all the art supplies she’d struggled all day in Coffs to find, she decided that they could stay in the car until she’d managed to wind down. Locking the car, she headed for the front door and went into the cool interior. Flinging off her shoes she padded along the hardwood floor, trying to make up her mind where to head first. The lounge room held the two ultra comfortable sofas, but the kitchen had stone tiles on the floor and would cool her aching feet down. The lounge room worked, so she walked in and fell onto the sofa, expecting Ed to be on the other.

She was so tired that it didn’t sink in for a moment…Ed wasn’t there! Swinging her feet back onto the floor, she sat up and looked around. She looked through the picture window; he wasn’t on the swing seat or the rocker on the porch. She got up and went into the bedroom; empty, as was the bathroom. Just as she was about to call out she heard music in the kitchen…country music. As she got closer she saw he was preparing a meal. Ed must be feeling good today.

She crept up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist, moving her hands up to his chest. “Hello, lover,” she whispered to him.

Ed stopped what he was doing and placed his hands on top of hers. “Well, hello, honey.” He turned and kissed Bron sweetly on the lips. “Had a good day?”

“Yes and no. I finally managed to get everything I needed, but I’m worn to a frazzle and my feet hurt.”

“Let me take care of that for you,” Ed replied, leading her back into the lounge room. He made her sit on the sofa once again and wandered off into the master bathroom. He was soon back with Bron’s foot spa. Plugging it in, he picked up her feet, one at a time, kissed them, and placed them gently into the water. Once she was settled, he turned on the heat and vibrate settings.

“Comfy?” he asked, kissing the tip of her nose.

“Yes, thank you darling.”

“I’ll just go put the dinner in the fridge and I’ll be back.” True to his word, moments later he returned with a soft, fluffy towel, and sat down next to Bron. “Let me know when you’ve had enough, honey.”

Bron smiled over at him, took his hand in hers, and rested her head on his shoulder. Within minutes she was fast asleep. Ed smiled as he stroked her hair. He would be happy for her to stay like that for as long as she needed, he’d really missed her all day and just sitting beside her gave him a warm feeling of contentment. “I love you, baby,” he whispered.

About an hour passed before Bron awoke with a start. She opened her eyes to see Ed smiling across at her. “Fell better now?” he asked.

She realised that her feet were no longer in the foot spa, but wrapped up in a warm towel. “Yes, Ed. I must have needed a power nap. Let me get up and make us a hot drink.”

“You just stay where you are, Little Darlin’. I’ll go put the kettle on. Normal tea or a fruit infusion?”

“Oh, fruit please, Love,” she replied, stretching like a cat and tucking her feet, still wrapped in the towel, under her.

Ed returned with two steaming mugs and a small blue bottle. “Stretch out, darlin’ and let me have your feet.”

Bron did as Ed asked, leaning against the arm of the sofa, and accepted the mug of blackberry tea. When Ed was comfortable, she raised her legs, placing her feet in his lap. He placed his mug on the side table and unscrewed the little bottle, pouring a small amount of oil in his palm before rubbing his hands together to warm the fragrant oil.

“Lavender,” she murmured, breathing in. Are you trying to send me to sleep again, Mister?”

“No, honey; just want your feet to relax,” Ed grinned back at her. His massage was firm, but at the same time gentle and very enjoyable. She didn’t usually like having her feet touched, but Ed managed to fire up all her senses when she allowed him to massage them. She tipped her head back until it was resting on the arm of the sofa and purred. Ed grinned; he hadn’t lost his touch.

When the massage was over, Ed handed Bron her favourite soft slippers, more like ballet pumps, and she slipped them on, allowing Ed to take her hand and lead her into the kitchen, telling her to sit at the table.

“Now then, little lady, would you like to eat in here or the dining room?”

Bron laughed; they’d only used the dining room if they had guests. “I’d much prefer to eat here, darling; then I can watch what menu you have planned.”

“Well, you know my limitations, so don’t expect anything grand,” Ed winked, as he rummaged about in the fridge.

“My word, Ed…that was a fantastic meal. I thought you said that you couldn’t cook.”

“I told you not to expect anything grand, honey,” Ed said over his shoulder as he finished loading the washer. He walked over to the CD player and inserted a disc. “Now, to finish off the meal, how about a little dance with me.”

Bron smiled as the strains of Don Williams filled the kitchen. She walked into Ed’s open arms and they began to sway to the music. Ed pulled her close to him and began to sing in her ear…

You’re my bread, when I’m hungry,

You’re my shelter from troubled winds,

You’re my anchor, in life’s ocean,

But most of all…you’re my best friend.

“Ed, that was beautiful. What else have you been hiding from me?”

Ed didn’t answer, and when Bron looked up into his face, she saw a look in his eyes that she hadn’t seen before; they were full of intense longing. She brushed his cheek with her palm and took his hand, intending to lead him back to the sofa. He stopped, shaking his head, and walking her towards their bedroom. Now she realised just what that look in his eyes meant. He really was feeling better tonight, or at least thought he was. She had no intention of asking him if he thought it was wise; she had been waiting for this moment as long as he had.

They undressed each other slowly, kissing each piece of flesh as it was revealed. Bron slid between the sheets, holding them up in an invitation to join her.

Ed took things slowly, as much for Bron’s pleasure as for making sure he was really fit enough for their first time together. He was gentle and loving, and took Bron to heights she had never reached before. He rolled off her, pulling her to him, and they lay cuddling together as their heartbeats slowed to normal.

Bron leaned over Ed and kissed his chest, neck, chin and lips. “I love you, Ed Hoffman…you’re my best friend.”

Ed smiled before drifting into grateful sleep. He was whole again, and Bron loved him.