Get settled in with him

John returned down the stairs wearing faded, torn blue jeans and an old t-shirt with the words “The Few. The Proud.” on the front. “You are going to need to change. Let me show you the guest room and your bathroom.”

She led him opposite of the stairs to a short hallway perpendicular to them. There was a door to the left and a door to the right. They headed to the right. He opened the door to a large room painted ocean storm grey with a bed on left wall, night stands on either side, a trunk with blankets and quilts at the foot, and a dresser across. The television was mounted in the corner. There were two windows on the wall across from the doorway, silken navy blue curtains pulled aside to permit the light seeping in. Between them rested four canvas pictures of a sailboat passing in front of the boardwalk and light house. One depicted the sunrise, then a sunny day with a seagull’s wings cupping in close to the camera – framing the light house in the distant background. The third was of a storm on the ocean crashing waves of foam against the boardwalk’s frame and the fourth was of a ruby red sunset.

Doe turned towards the bed and saw the largest picture. It was eight feet long on the fourteen foot wall and mounted above the headboard. The same lighthouse but in the pitch of night. The boardwalk took the length from the image, the moon and stars seemed to come to life as they reflected glory on the water. He could just make out the figure of what was certainly a soldier’s silhouette holding a rifle on the walkway. And in silver metallic paint was the quote, “Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light. I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night.” The picture was one to capture all’s attention and happened to be one of John’s favorites throughout the house.

“Mitch took the pictures and then painted the quote on for me. That lovely bastard. This picture always takes my breath away.” She took a deep breath. “Anyways, there are hangars in the closet and the drawers are empty. Make yourself at home, love. Change into something you do not mind getting dirty in, we can always wash it but I can not recommend white. I will be out back when you are ready.”

“Can I put my tennis shoes back on?”

“You won’t need them. I have some boots can you wear,” she promised as she closed the door behind her.