The Radio

By J.Price

Tonight, Clarence is tired and hungry. On the drive home he wonders what awaits him for dinner. It’s been a long day. His back aches and feet hurt. His head is fuzzy from the blur of demands for the last nine solid hours at work.

Justine, a happy go lucky, thirty-three-year-old with a quick smile, is absent minded, which always seem to create unexpected circumstances. When shopping to buy dinner she’ll spot something that would be divine for Thursday’s bridge brunch, then go home forgetting all about the night’s meal. They eat out often.

Today is special because, on a whim, Justine goes into the garage and pokes around when she spots Clarence’s old radio. Dusting it off, she studies it, then is hit by inspiration. Taking it into the kitchen she puts it on the counter and turns it on. It works beautifully so she decides to have it tuned to play sweet love songs as background music for her carefully planned evening.  Earlier in the day while shopping at the Vintage Shop she bought an elegant gown that reminds her of romantic movies. She wants to look perfect and give Clarence and her a change of pace. She plans to have a cozy night with flair.

Clarence hangs his jacket on the coat tree in the entrance, then walks slowly toward the kitchen. Noticing the absence of food cooking his shoulders slouch in disappointment while his stomach complains of hunger.

He turns to walk out of the kitchen when he notices his old radio on the counter, shinning clean. He got that old radio as a birthday present when he was six years old. Since his marriage it had been in the garage gathering dust. He plays it when sanding and working on their boat or busy with a project for the house. Its’ sweet music inspires and relaxes him as if by magic.

He doesn’t see his wife so calls out to her, again.

From the back of the house her musical voice answered. “Hello darling, I’ll be right there.”

He plops tiredly down onto the kitchen chair at the table and tries not to pay attention to his rumbling stomach.

Justine waltzes toward him with two candlesticks in her hand, wearing an evening gown he has never seen. The dress flows gracefully on her slender figure.  She bends over, kisses him and whispers,” Hi, sweetheart. Tonight I’ve planned a special dining experience just for the two of us. Right now I have to get the candles for these.” She set the candlesticks in the middle of the table and rushes off.

Clarence just stares at Justine’s appearance.  When she returns, holding two wine glasses he tells her, “You look ravishing tonight.” He begins to ask about dinner and the radio when they are interrupted by a knock at the front door.

“Thank you darling,” she says over her shoulder and quickly goes to the radio, switchs it on, retrieves a paper from beneath it, drops it in Clarence’s hand and turns to answer the knock at the front door.

He unfolds it and reads:

YOU HAVE WON

A YEAR OF

FREE DINNERS

TO BE DELIVERED FRESH

EVERY EVENING AT 6:00 P.M.

TO YOUR HOME

CATERED BY ‘FOOD OF FASHION’

DELIGHTING IN SERVING YOU

THE LATEST RECIPIES

AIRING ONLY ON

KRKS

THE PROUD HOME OF

OUR AWARD-WINNING SHOW

‘WORLD OF CHEFS’

LISTEN DAILY AT 3:30 P.M.

THANK YOU

FOR BEING A FAITHFUL LISTENER

Justine thanks the carrier and tips him. She empties the three sacks that hold boxes of food into waiting plates and sets them on the table. The fragrance wafts through the air of savory food and has his mouth watering.

She begins serving up the food. Clarence watches her and smiles at her graceful movements. The music in the background plays a song from their first date. As he watches her, he remembers that night and smiles.

“Do you remember that song and what we were doing when we first heard it?” He looks at her awaiting her response.

She stops, cocks her head a bit, as if listening and remembering. “Oh, yes, my darling. That song was perfect for us then, and it still is.”

She bends down and gives him a sweet kiss before loading his plate with perfectly grilled pork chops covered in an aromatic sauce.  He looks at the mashed potatoes with green herbs mixed into them. The steamed vegetables consist of carrots, broccoli, green and orange squash all in a garlic butter, also caramelized onions in the mix, grilled. The bread is Tuscan, an Italian hard loaf that smells as if it was fresh out of the oven. His mouth waters. He notes a large chocolate cake with fluffy white icing for dessert.

Justine pours two glasses of Cabernet, kisses him again gently on the lips and sits down to enjoy this surprise dinner. Justine forgets about the candles, but the candlesticks sparkle from her polishing them.  

Clarence raises his wine glass, tips it to Justine and smiles, “Darling, the aroma of this delicious food almost covered the wonderful bouquet of your perfume. It tantalizes my senses. You look beautiful tonight. I love you.”

After finishing their meal, Clarence stands up, turns to Justine, reaches for her hand, “Since they’re playing one of our favorite songs, shall we dance?” 

Justine melts into his strong arms, snuggles against his chest and whispers, “Oh, yes.” 

Every night for a year Clarence comes home to greet Justine and enjoys her company, along with the fine food. The music from his old radio plays their personal favorite songs, regardless of the station it’s tuned to. They relive sweet memories of dates and time they’ve spent together. Their conversations are always lively and happy. 

After the glorious first year ends, Clarence continues the fine delivered dinners by reordering year after year. The gift of these wonderful meals is for both of them which makes every night special.  

They appreciate each other’s loving company and gentle music full of memories and love. It plays a part in every evening for all their lives.

Yes, the old radio remains on the counter. 

Sometimes things happen, as they should, in the grand scheme of love.